title: Comet assay and cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus test for monitoring the genotoxic effects of X-ray radiation in humans.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the genotoxic effects of X-ray radiation on human populations.
  
  
  METHODS
  The single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) and cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus (CBMN) test were applied as biological dosimeters to detect DNA damage and abnormalities in human peripheral lymphocytes of subpopulation exposed to X-ray radiation. The subjects were divided into four groups: 12 radiation-patients; 13 intervention-radiation-therapy doctors; 32 radiation-diagnostians; 28 controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average comet lengths of the four groups were 128.17 +/- 4.49 microns, 88.09 +/- 5.39 microns, 72.68 +/- 2.57 microns and 32.87 +/- 0.57 microns, respectively. The difference in average comet length between any two groups was highly significant (P < 0.01). The average micronucleated cell (MNC) rates (@1000) of the four groups were 12.33 +/- 0.85, 9.75 +/- 1.02, 8.48 +/- 0.66 and 3.18 +/- 0.36, respectively. The difference of MNC rates of Group 1 vs 3, 1 vs 4, 2 vs 4 and 3 vs 4 was highly significant (P < 0.01), and the difference of Group 1 vs 2 was significant (P < 0.05), but there was no difference of MNC rate in Group 2 vs 3 (P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed that both the comet assay and the CBMN test could be used to monitor populations exposed to X-ray radiation, but the comet assay seems to be more sensitive than the CBMN test.
authors.affiliation: Division of Environmental Health, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310006, China.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D020552:Comet Assay; D004247:DNA / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004249:DNA Damage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D014965:X-Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D004247:DNA