title: Frequency of background and radiation-induced apoptosis in leukocytes of individuals with alpha-thalassemia variants, assessed by the neutral comet assay.
abstract: To study effects of ionizing radiation on apoptosis induction in leukocytes of alpha-thalassemia (alpha-thal) variants compared to normal controls, venous blood samples were obtained from 10 healthy volunteers and 30 alpha-thal patients. Different types alpha-thal were diagnosed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Blood samples were irradiated with three Gy gamma rays, used for comet assay, immediately or 48 h after irradiation. Results show that the frequency of background as well as apoptosis in silent alpha-thal carriers, alpha-thal carriers and controls was similar but there was a significant difference between Hb H patients and other groups in the study. The increased apoptosis in Hb H patients might suggest that accumulation of beta-globin and oxidative stresses are effective in causing apoptosis, and cells from these patients are more vulnerable to damage from radiation-induced toxic substances. Therefore, from alpha-thal patients, those with Hb H disease might be considered as radiosensitive in terms of apoptosis formation.
authors: Department of Medical Genetics, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Alireza
authors: A
authors: Tarang
authors: Hossein
authors: H
authors: Mozdarani
authors: Mohamad T
authors: MT
authors: Akbari
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000528:radiation effects*; D020552:Comet Assay / Q000379:methods*; D005720:Gamma Rays; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D006447:Hemoglobin H / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D055815:Young Adult; D055542:alpha-Globins / Q000235:genetics; D017085:alpha-Thalassemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D055542:alpha-Globins; D006447:Hemoglobin H