Dose estimation by chromosome aberration analysis and micronucleus assays in victims accidentally exposed to (60)Co radiation.
The objective of this study was to assess the radiation exposure levels in victims of a (60)Co radiation accident using chromosome aberration analysis and the micronucleus assay. Peripheral blood samples were collected from three victims exposed to (60)Co 10 days after the accident and were used for the chromosome aberration and micronucleus assays. After in vitro culture of the lymphocytes, the frequencies of dicentric chromosomes and rings (dic+r) and the numbers of cytokinesis blocking micronuclei (CBMN) in the first mitotic division were determined and used to estimate radiation dosimetry. The Poisson distribution of the frequency of dic+r in lymphocytes was used to assess the uniformity of the exposure to (60)Co radiation. Based on the frequency of dic+r in lymphocytes, estimates of radiation exposure of the three victims were 5.61 Gy (A), 2.48 Gy (B) and 2.68 Gy (C). The values were estimated based on the frequencies of CBMN, which were 5.45 Gy (A), 2.78 Gy (B) and 2.84 Gy (C). The estimated radiation dosimetry demonstrated a critical role in estimating the radiation dose and facilitating an accurate clinical diagnosis. Furthermore, the frequencies of dir+r in victims A and B deviated significantly from a normal Poisson distribution. Chromosome aberration analysis offers a reliable means for estimating biological exposure to radiation. In the present study, the micronucleus assay demonstrated a high correlation with the chromosome aberration analysis in determining the radiation dosimetry 10 days after radiation exposure.
Liu
Q
Q
Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, First Clinical Department of Medical Emergency Response Centre for Nuclear Accident, Ministry of Health, Tianjin, China.
Cao
J
J
Wang
Z Q
ZQ
Bai
Y S
YS
Lü
Y M
YM
Huang
Q L
QL
Zhao
W Z
WZ
Li
J
J
Jiang
L P
LP
Tang
W S
WS
Fu
B H
BH
Fan
F Y
FY
D054508:Acute Radiation Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005720:Gamma Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D018788:Radioactive Hazard Release; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods
D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes