Acute chromosomal DNA damage in human lymphocytes after radiation exposure in invasive cardiovascular procedures.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated whether radiation exposure during interventional cardiovascular procedures can induce damage to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).


RESULTS
Micronucleus assay (MN) was performed as biomarker of chromosomal damage and intermediate endpoint in carcinogenesis. Seventy-two patients (54 males, age = 63.8 +/- 10.5 years) undergoing a wide range of radiation exposure during invasive cardiovascular procedures (coronary angiography, n = 9; percutaneous coronary intervention, n = 9; peripheral transluminal angioplasty, n = 37; and cardiac resynchronization therapy, n = 17) were enrolled. MN frequency was evaluated before, 2, and 24 h after the radiation exposure. Dose-area product (DAP; Gy cm(2)) was assessed as physical measure of radiation load. DAP value was 96.0 +/- 63.9 Gy cm(2). MN frequency was 15.1 +/- 7.1 per thousand at baseline and showed a significant rise at 2 h (17.5 +/- 6.5 per thousand, P = 0.03) and 24 h (18.5 +/- 7.3 per thousand, P = 0.004) after procedures.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results corroborate the current radioprotection assumption that even modest radiation load can damage the DNA of the cell and induce chromosome alterations which are early predictors of increased cancer risk.
Andreassi
Maria Grazia
MG
CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology, G. Pasquinucci Hospital, Via Aurelia Sud-Montepepe, 54100 Massa, Italy. andreas@ifc.cnr.it
Cioppa
Angelo
A
Manfredi
Samantha
S
Palmieri
Cataldo
C
Botto
Nicoletta
N
Picano
Eugenio
E
D000208:Acute Disease; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004247:DNA / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000502:physiology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000528:radiation effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology*
D004247:DNA