Carcinogenesis, Teratogenesis & Mutagenesis ›› 2015, Vol. 27 ›› Issue (2): 101-105.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-616x.2015.02.005

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Genotoxic effects of low dose ionizing radiation occupationally exposed in industrial flaw detection workers

DONG Xiaomei1, WANG Zhi1, ZHANG Guowei1, DONG Jianyun1, ZHOU Niya1, LING Xi1, LIU Jinyi1, CAO Jia1, ZHANG Lilong2, AO Lin1   

  1. 1. Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Military Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038;
    2. Chongqing Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chongqing 400042, China
  • Received:2015-01-30 Revised:2015-03-06 Online:2015-03-31 Published:2015-03-31
  • About author:10.3969/j.issn.1004-616x.2015.02.005

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE:To assess the genetic damage of low dose ionizing radiation(LDIR) occupationally exposed in flaw detection workers. METHODS:We used the Thermo-luminescent Dosimeter(TLD) to measure the individual exposure dose. Thirty-one flaw detection workers and forty-nine people without such exposure were enrolled. The cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay was performed to detect the chromosome damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Real-time PCR was used to analyze the mtDNA copy number and supercoiling formation change. Long-PCR was applied to analyze mtDNA integrity. qRT-PCR was applied to analyze mRNA levels of TFAM and PGC-1α. RESULTS:The mean annual effect dose in flaw detection workers was (0.15±0.03) mSv/a, range in (0.12-0.21) mSv/a. The MN and NBUDs rate in flaw detection worker group were obviously elevated compared with controls (P<0.01). In our study, the mtDNA copy number of flaw detection workers(40.04±24.99) was higher than controls (24.86±19.14) (P<0.01), and the supercoiling formation was also evidently changed (P<0.05). The mtDNA integrity of flaw detection workers (95.10±9.54) was decreased compared to controls (313.51±14.58)(P<0.01). The mRNA levels of TFAM and PGC-1α was found to be higher than controls (P<0.01). CONCLUSION:We found all of the annual effect dose of flaw detection workers are conforming the state radiological protection standards. However, the induction of chromosome damage and mtDNA damage caused by LDIR were evident, the health of flaw detection workers are at risk.

Key words: low dose ionizing radiation, industrial X-ray detection, genetic damage, mitochondrial DNA

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