ABSTRACT
Cytogenetic dosimetry is useful for evaluating the absorbed dose of ionizing radiation based on analysis of radiation-induced chromosomal aberrations. We created two types of in vitro dose-response calibration curves for dicentric chromosomes (DC) and translocations (TR) induced by X-ray irradiation, using an electron linear accelerator, which is the most frequently used medical device in radiotherapy. We irradiated samples from four healthy Korean individuals and compared the resultant curves between individuals. Aberration yields were studied in a total of 31,800 and 31,725 metaphases for DC and TR, respectively, obtained from 11 X-ray irradiation dose-points (0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 Gy). The dose-response relationship followed a linear-quadratic equation, Y=C+αD+βD², with the coefficients C=0.0011 for DC and 0.0015 for TR, α=0.0119 for DC and 0.0048 for TR, and β=0.0617 for DC and 0.0237 for TR. Correlation coefficients between irradiation doses and chromosomal aberrations were 0.971 for DC and 0.6 for TR, indicating a very strong and a moderate correlation, respectively. This is the first study implementing cytogenetic dosimetry following exposure to ionizing X-radiation.
Subject(s)
Calibration , Chromosome Aberrations , Cytogenetics , In Vitro Techniques , Particle Accelerators , Radiation, Ionizing , RadiotherapyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To explore the dose-effect of X-ray irradiation and chromosome aberrations in human peripheral blood cells,and establish a dose-response curve of dicentric and ring(dic+r)aberration induced by X-ray irradiation.METHODS: Human peripheral blood samples were collected from three healthy individuals and were exposed to X-ray at the doses of 0.00,0.25,0.50,0.75,1.00,2.00,3.00,4.00 and 5.00 Gy in vitro.The dose rate was 1.158 Gy/min.The blood cells were harvested after routine culture,and the chromosome preparation was carried out.The dicentrics and rings in metaphase cells were counted under microscope,and a dose-response curve was fitted by using the software of CABAS.Dose estimation was performed according to the curve from two blind samples.RESULTS: Aberration of dic+r increased with irradiation doses in the range of 0.00-5.00 Gy(P<0.01).The dose-response relationship followed a linear-quadratic equation:■,where■ is the yield of dic+r,and D is the irradiated dose.The estimated doses of the two blind samples were in accordance with the actual doses.CONCLUSION: The dose-response curve and mathematical model of chromosome aberration following exposure to 0.00-5.00 Gy X-ray irradiation is established in this study provide a reliable method for the accurate dose estimation.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Interest in radiation-related health problems has been growing with the increase in the number of workers in radiation-related jobs. Although an occupational level of radiation exposure would not likely cause azoospermia, several studies have reported the relation between radiation exposure and azoospermia after accidental or therapeutic radiation exposure. We describe a case of azoospermia in a non-destructive testing (NDT) worker exposed to radiation and discuss the problems of the related monitoring system. CASE PRESENTATION: A 39-year-old man who was childless after 8 years of marriage was diagnosed with azoospermia through medical evaluations, including testicular biopsy. He did not have any abnormal findings on biochemical evaluations, other risk factors, or evidence of congenital azoospermia. He had been working in an NDT facility from 2005 to 2013, attaching and arranging gamma-ray films on the structures and inner spaces of ships. The patient's thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) badge recorded an exposure level of 0.01781 Gy for 80 months, whereas results of his florescence in situ hybridization (FISH) translocation assay showed an exposure level of up to 1.926 Gy of cumulative radiation, which was sufficient to cause azoospermia. Thus, we concluded that his azoospermia was caused by occupational radiation exposure. CONCLUSION: The difference between the exposure dose records measured through TLD badge and the actual exposure dose implies that the monitor used by the NDT worker did not work properly, and such a difference could threaten the health and safety of workers. Thus, to protect the safety and health of NDT workers, education of workers and strengthening of law enforcement are required to ensure that regulations are strictly followed, and if necessary, random sampling of NDT workers using a cytogenetic dosimeter, such as FISH, should be considered.