title: Expression of γ-H2AX histone in lymphocytes of the Chornobyl "Shelter" object staff exposed to ionizing radiation in occupational limits.
abstract: Objective. To compare the effect of radiation dose and time after exposure on formation of γ-H2AX histone in Chornobyl clean-up workers and personnel who perform work activities at the zone of high radiation risks. Materials and Methods. The expression of γ-H2AX histone in peripheral blood lymphocytes of 68 patients, including 33 "Shelter" workers after recent radiation exposure in professional limits and comparison group of 35 Chornobyl clean-up workers exposed 24-27 years before, the study by flow cytometry. Results. An increase of the expression of γ-H2AX histone in lymphocytes was revealed in "Shelter" staff after leaving the area of work (0,70±0,93) (M±SD), comparing with Chornobyl clean-up workers (0,51 ± 0,27) (M ± SD), р < 0,001. Analysis subgroups of clean-up workers divided by doses (100-250 mSv, n = 20 and 250-1000 mSv, n = 16) we found connection between radiation dose and the percentage of γ-H2AX positive cells. The number of γ-H2AX positive cells was higher in a subgroup with higher doses (0,49 ± 0,05 and 0,55 ± 0,08, (M ± SD, respectively, p < 0.01)). Conclusions. Our study suggests the possibility of determining γ-H2AX histone as a marker of cellular radiosensitivity and possibility to use it as a diagnostic tool of a recent radiation exposure at low doses in humans.
authors.affiliation: State Institution National Research Center for Radiation Medicine of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Melnykov str., 53, Kyiv, 04050, Ukraine. vkpand@ukr.net.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Bazyka
authors.affiliation: State Institution National Research Center for Radiation Medicine of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Melnykov str., 53, Kyiv, 04050, Ukraine. vkpand@ukr.net.
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Muzalevska
authors.affiliation: State Institution National Research Center for Radiation Medicine of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Melnykov str., 53, Kyiv, 04050, Ukraine. vkpand@ukr.net.
authors.forename: O L
authors.initials: OL
authors.lastname: Maznichenko
authors.affiliation: State Institution National Research Center for Radiation Medicine of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Melnykov str., 53, Kyiv, 04050, Ukraine. vkpand@ukr.net.
authors.forename: O A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Belyaev
keywords: Chornobyl; Ionizing radiation; gamma-H2AX histone; lymphocyte; radiation