title: Peripheral blood lymphocytes and selected serum interleukins in workers operating X-ray equipment.
abstract: The objective of these studies was to determine the effect of low X-ray doses on peripheral blood lymphocytes in the workers operating X-ray equipment. In 30 workers and 18 persons who constituted the control group the absolute number of peripheral blood lymphocytes, the number of T CD4+ and T CD8+ lymphocytes, the ratio CD4+/CD8+ and the concentration of serum interleukins (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6) were tested. Subgroups with respect to sex and employment period were selected. A significant increase in IL-2 concentration in workers as compared to controls was observed and significantly decreased IL-4 level in operating X-ray equipment was revealed. The lowest levels of IL-4 were noted in the women subgroup. A high positive, statistically significant correlations between the number of lymphocytes and the concentration of IL-2 and the level of IL-4 were observed. Moreover, our studies revealed that lymphocyte number and interleukin concentrations in serum of X-ray operators do not depend on the assumed ranges of the length of employment period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Diseases and Clinical Pharmacology, Silesian Medical Academy, ul Tysiaclecia 86a/34, 40-871 Katowice, Poland. genmar@ka.onet.pl
authors.forename: Antoni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hrycek
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Czernecka-Micińska
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kłuciński
authors.forename: Roman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Badowski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000528:radiation effects; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000528:radiation effects; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007378:Interleukins / Q000097:blood*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000097:blood / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011871:Radiology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D007378:Interleukins