engleski

The alkaline comet assay as a biomarker of primary DNA damage in peripheral blood leukocytes of nuclear medicine personnel

The aim of this study was to assess whether occupational exposure to chronic low doses of ionizing radiation in nuclear medicine departments may lead to genotoxicity. The alakaline comet assay was selected as a biomarker of exposure to evaluate the levels of primary DNA damage in peripheral blood leukocytes of exposed and corresponding control subjects. Statistically significant differences were found between comet tail length and tail moment values measured in leukocytes from the exposed asnd control groups. Whithin exposed group significant inter-individual differences in DNA damage were assessed, indicating differnt genome sensitivity. In majority of exposed subjects the levels of DNA damage were in positive correlation with the duration of occupational exposurem while the influences of age and dosimeter readings could be exclčuded.However, the levels of primary DNA damage detected both in control and exposed subjects were significantly influenced by smoking.The present study indicates the possibility of genotoxic risks realted to occupoationla exposure in nuclear meeicine departments. Therefore, the exposed personnel should carefully apply the radiation protection procedures to minimaze, as low as possible, radiation exposure to avoid possible genotoxic effects. According to results obtained, the alkaline comet assay could be usefully applied as a sensitive additional biomarker in the regular health screening of workers occupationally exposed to low doses of ionizing radiation.

nuclear medicine; comet assay; peripheral blood leukocytes

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