Follow-up study by chromosome aberration analysis and micronucleus assays in victims accidentally exposed to 60Co radiation.
The goal of this study was to assess the persistence of chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei of three victims 2 y after accidental radiation exposure to Co gamma rays. Traditional chromosome aberration analysis was performed by scoring the dicentric chromosomes (dic) and rings (r) in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Micronuclei were detected using the cytokinesis block micronucleus assay. G-banding and semi-automatic karyotype analysis was used to record translocations (t), inversions (inv) and deletions (del). The frequency of unstable chromosomal aberrations (dicentrics and rings) remained at high levels 6 mo after the accident. Two years after exposure, the frequency was reduced to 4-11% in the three victims. However, stable chromosome aberrations, which were detected by G-banding and included t, inv, and del, remained at a high level and have an obvious dose-dependent relationship even 2 y post-exposure. The frequency of micronuclei decreased faster than that of chromosome aberrations, reaching almost a normal level two years after the accident, especially for the child victim. Unstable chromosome aberrations reduced gradually, but the stable aberration remained at a high level along with the time-lapse. The micronucleus assay was less valuable for assessing long-term effects after high dose irradiation.
Liu
Qiang
Q
First Clinical Department of Medical Emergency Response, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Centre for Nuclear Accident, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Ministry of Health, Tianjin 300192.
Cao
Jia
J
Liu
Ying
Y
Lü
Yu Min
YM
Qin
Bin
B
Jiang
Bo
B
Jiang
Li Ping
LP
Fu
Bao Hua
BH
Zhao
Feng Ling
FL
Jiang
En Hai
EH
Su
Xu
X
Fan
Fei Yue
FY
D054508:Acute Radiation Syndrome / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D002871:Chromosome Banding; D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007621:Karyotyping; D008297:Male; D015162:Micronucleus Tests / Q000379:methods*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D018788:Radioactive Hazard Release; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes