title: The influence of blood storage time and general anaesthesia on chromosomal radiosensitivity assessment.
abstract: The micronucleus assay (MN assay) is a well-established assay in genetic toxicology, biomonitoring of mutagen-exposed populations and chromosomal radiosensitivity testing. To evaluate the effect of storage time on the chromosomal radiosensitivity assessment in lymphocytes, micronuclei (MN) yields in blood samples received and processed on the same day were compared with MN yields obtained when blood cultures were set up 24 and 48h after blood sampling. Furthermore, the influence of general anaesthesia on MN and binucleated cells (BN) yields in the MN assay was considered. Blood samples of 10 healthy donors were irradiated and blood cultures were set up during the same day of blood sampling or with a delay of 24 or 48h. The MN assay was also performed on two blood samples from 60 women undergoing breast surgery. The first blood sample was taken before general anaesthesia and the second sample, 2h after anaesthesia induction. Fifty percent of the blood samples were transported to the cytogenetics lab within 2h while the other 50% reached the lab after 24h. The results of this study show a decrease in BN and an increase in MN yields with increasing storage time before irradiation and setting up of the MN assay for both healthy controls and patients. The administration of general anaesthesia in patients resulted in lower BN yields, higher spontaneous MN yields but no differences in radiation-induced MN yields. In conclusion, this study indicates that the time between blood sampling and the in vitro irradiation of the samples for the MN assay influences the MN yields. Delays of more than 24h should be avoided. To assess chromosomal radiosensitivity in patients, blood samples should be taken before induction of general anaesthesia as anaesthesia can have an impact on the reliability of the MN results.
authors.affiliation: iThemba LABS, National Research Foundation, Old Faure Road, PO Box 722, Somerset West 7129, South Africa, Department of Radiation Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, York Road 7, Parktown 2193, Johannesburg, South Africa, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium and ans.baeyens@wits.ac.za.
authors.forename: Ans
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baeyens
authors.affiliation: iThemba LABS, National Research Foundation, Old Faure Road, PO Box 722, Somerset West 7129, South Africa, Department of Radiation Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, York Road 7, Parktown 2193, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Olivia
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Herd
authors.affiliation: iThemba LABS, National Research Foundation, Old Faure Road, PO Box 722, Somerset West 7129, South Africa, Department of Radiation Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, York Road 7, Parktown 2193, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Flavia Zita
authors.initials: FZ
authors.lastname: Francies
authors.affiliation: Donald Gordon Medical Centre, Eton Road 18, Parktown 2193, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cairns
authors.affiliation: Donald Gordon Medical Centre, Eton Road 18, Parktown 2193, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Katzman
authors.affiliation: Donald Gordon Medical Centre, Eton Road 18, Parktown 2193, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Marshall
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Murdoch
authors.affiliation: Donald Gordon Medical Centre, Eton Road 18, Parktown 2193, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Dineshree
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Padiachy
authors.affiliation: Donald Gordon Medical Centre, Eton Road 18, Parktown 2193, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morford
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium and.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vral
authors.affiliation: iThemba LABS, National Research Foundation, Old Faure Road, PO Box 722, Somerset West 7129, South Africa.
authors.forename: Jacobus P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Slabbert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000009:adverse effects; D001769:Blood; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D048629:Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D015162:Micronucleus Tests / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D011836:Radiation Tolerance; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000009:adverse effects; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult