engleski

Application of the alkaline comet assay and the analyisis of the structural chromosomal aberrations in assessment of genetic damage after accidental exposure to ionizing radiation

The effects of Iower doses of ionising radiation may not show up for years after exposure and are due to various changes in DNA molecules and chromosomes. Radiation-induced mutations seem to be brought about by the deletion of small pieces of chromosomes during the process of chromosome breakage and repair .Ionising radiation kills rapidly dividing cells, blood Iymphocytes among them. The cytogenetical consequences of accidental exposure to y-radiation (radiation dose was 22l mSv) were investigated by using alkaline Comet assay and the analysis of structural chromosomal aberration. Blood samples were collected during one-year period after the incident. By using the Comet assay immediately after accidental exposure a high level of DNA damage was recorded. Although this Ievel was decreasing over a one-year period, it was still elevated compared to normal values of DNA damage for unexposed persons. Immediately after the incident a prevalence of chromosomal over chromatid aberrations was recorded. However , o~e year after only a few chromatid breaks were recorded. The results confirmed the usefulness of the alkaline Comet assay as a simple and sensitive technique for the biomonitoring of DNA damages, especially in the cases of accidental exposure to ionising radiation.

accidental exposure; ionising radiation; Iymphocytes; Comet assay; structural chromosomal aberrations

nije evidentirano