title: DNA integrity of human leukocytes after magnetic resonance imaging.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study focuses on the effects of high-field (3T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans on the DNA integrity of human leukocytes in vitro in order to validate the study where genotoxic effects were obtained and published by Lee et al.
  
  
  METHODS
  The scanning protocol and exposure situation were the same as those used under routine clinical brain MRI scan. Peripheral blood samples from healthy non-smoking male donors were exposed to electromagnetic fields (EMF) produced by 3T magnetic resonance imaging equipment for 0, 22, 45, 67, and 89 min during the scanning procedure. Samples of positive control were exposed to ionizing radiation (4 Gy of (60)Co-γ). Single breaks of DNA in leukocytes were detected by single-cell gel electrophoresis (Comet assay). Chromosome breakage, chromosome loss and micronuclei formations were detected by a micronucleus test (MN). Three independent experiments were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The data of comet tail DNA%, olive tail moment and micronucleus frequency showed no DNA damages due to MRI exposure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the Comet assay and the micronucleus test indicate that the applied exposure of MRI does not appear to produce breaks in the DNA and has no significant effect on DNA integrity.
authors.affiliation: "Fréderic Joliot-Curie" National Research Institute for Radiobiology and Radiohygiene , Budapest.
authors.forename: Ágnes
authors.initials: Á
authors.lastname: Szerencsi
authors.forename: Györgyi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kubinyi
authors.forename: Éva
authors.initials: É
authors.lastname: Váliczkó
authors.forename: Péter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Juhász
authors.forename: Gábor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rudas
authors.forename: Ádám
authors.initials: Á
authors.lastname: Mester
authors.forename: Gábor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jánossy
authors.forename: József
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bakos
authors.forename: György
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Thuróczy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics*; D053903:DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded / Q000528:radiation effects; D053904:DNA Breaks, Single-Stranded / Q000528:radiation effects; D005720:Gamma Rays / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D015162:Micronucleus Tests
chemical_list: D004247:DNA