The influence of redox status on inter-individual variability in the response of human peripheral blood lymphocytes to ionizing radiation

Abstract

Purpose: Ionizing radiation (IR) can act on atomic structures, producing damage to biomolecules. Earlier investigations evaluating individual radiosensitivity in vitro were focused on cytogenetic biomarkers (chromosomal aberrations – CA and micronuclei – MN). Since IR can also cause oxidative damage by producing reactive oxygen species, the main goal of this investigation was to establish the influence of redox status on CA and MN frequency in human peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Materials and methods: Blood samples from 56 healthy donors were irradiated at doses of 0, 0.75, 1.5 and 3 Gy and then analyzed cytogenetically and biochemically.

Results: The results showed inter-individual variability in all analyzed parameters, as well as dose-dependent increases in almost all of them. Correlation analysis indicated no association between CA, MN and oxidative stress parameters. However, findings for overall response (HRR) parameters showed that donors with lower values for parameters of antioxidant status had increased levels of cytogenetic damage and higher responses to irradiation and vice versa.

Conclusion: Besides well-established cytogenetic biomarkers of radiation exposure, our results indicated promising future use for biochemical oxidative status parameters in routine radiation protection practice, since together they can provide a complete radiation response profile in cases of continuous low-dose exposure, as well as in a radiation emergency.

Keywords:

• Ionizing radiation
• dicentric chromosomes
• micronuclei
• oxidative stress
• antioxidative response
• oxidative status

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jelena Pajic

Jelena Pajic, Doctor of Medical Sciences, employed at the Cytogenetic Biodosimetry Laboratory. Main area of research: radiation biology, biodosimetry, genotoxicology. Authored and coauthored 10 scientific papers published in international scientific journals as well as 30 conference reports and papers published in national scientific journals.

Branislav Rovcanin

Branislav Rovcanin, MD, Doctor of Medical Sciences, employed at the Center for Endocrine Surgery. Author of 20 scientific papers. Area of research: biochemistry, endocrinology, genetics.

Dusan Kekic

Dusan Kekic, MD, employed at the Institute for Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine in the field of immunology, immunochemistry, biochemistry and genetics.

Dubravka Jovicic

Dubravka Jovicic, full Professor at the Ecogenotoxicology Department. Area of research: radiation biology, genotoxicology, ecology. Author of 15 scientific papers published in international scientific journals and more than 50 conference reports and papers published in national scientific journals.

Aleksandar P. S. Milovanovic

Aleksandar P. S. Milovanovic, full Professor at the Occupational Health Department. Area of research: occupational medicine, radiation protection. Author of 36 scientific papers published in international scientific journals and more than 50 conference reports and papers published in national scientific journals.