Chromosome analysis of nuclear power plant workers using fluorescence in situ hybridization and Giemsa assay.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the genotoxic effects of ionizing radiation in vivo in exposed Bulgarian nuclear power plant workers by using classical cytogenetic and molecular cytogenetic analyses of peripheral lymphocytes. Chromosome analysis using fluorescence in situ hybrydization (FISH) and Giemsa techniques was undertaken on 63 workers and 45 administrative staff controls from the Bulgarian Nuclear Power Plant. Using the Giemsa method, the frequencies of cells studied with chromosome aberrations, dicentrics plus rings and chromosome fragments in the radiation workers were significantly higher compared with the control group (P = 0.044, P = 0.014, and P = 0.033, respectively). A significant association between frequencies of dicentrics plus rings and accumulated doses was registered (P < 0.01). In the present study, a FISH cocktail of whole chromosome paints for chromosomes 1, 4 and 11 was used. A significant association between frequency of translocations and accumulated doses was also observed (P < 0.001). Within the control group, a correlation was found between age and the spontaneous frequency of translocations. No correlation was found between smoking status and frequency of translocations. When compared with the control group, workers with accumulated doses up to 100 mSv showed no increase in genome translocation frequency, whereas workers with accumulated doses from 101 to 200 mSv showed a statistically significant doubling of genome translocation frequency (P = 0.009). Thus, in cases of chronic exposure and for purposes of retrospective dosimetry, the genome frequency of translocations is a more useful marker for evaluation of genotoxic effects than dicentric frequency.

Comparative genotoxicity of the herbicides Roundup, Stomp and Reglone in plant and mammalian test systems.

The genotoxicities of the herbicides Roundup (glyphosate), Stomp (pendimethaline) and Reglone (diquat), were compared in plant (Crepis capillaris L.) and mouse bone marrow test systems using chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei. Roundup did not induce chromosomal aberrations or micronuclei in either test system. Reglone also did not induce chromosomal aberrations in either test system; however, it increased micronucleus frequency in both plant cells and mouse bone marrow polychromatic erythrocytes (PCEs). The responses of the two test systems to Stomp were quite different. Stomp did not induce chromosomal aberrations in the plant cells, but increased their incidence in mouse cells; Stomp increased the frequency of micronuclei in both test systems. The induction of micronuclei in plant cells may have been due to the spindle-destroying effect of the herbicide, since all concentrations of Stomp produced C-mitoses. The increased chromosomal aberration frequency in mouse bone marrow cells observed at later sampling times after administration of Stomp into animals suggests that the induction of aberrations may be due to biosynthesis of genotoxic metabolites. This conclusion was supported by the coincidence between the frequencies of chromosomal aberrations and of micronucleated PCEs in mouse cells. These data indicate that plant and animal assays are differentially responsive to some pesticides, and these differences may be due to metabolism and their responses to mitotic spindle disruption.

Cytogenetic effects of hexavalent chromium in Bulgarian chromium platers.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the genotoxic effects of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) in vivo in exposed Bulgarian chromium platers by using classical cytogenetic and molecular cytogenetic analyses of peripheral lymphocytes and exfoliated buccal cells. No significant difference was observed between the exposed workers and the controls with regard to the frequency of cells with chromosome aberrations (CAs) using conventional Giemsa staining and in the frequency of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs). However, there was a significant increase in the number of cells with micronuclei (MN) in peripheral lymphocytes from chromium exposed workers as compared to the controls. In the buccal cells from these workers, this increase was even more pronounced. Cytosine arabinoside (AraC), an inhibitor of DNA synthesis and repair, was found to significantly increase the levels of MN in vitro in the lymphocytes of both groups. The increase was more expressed in the lymphocytes of chromium exposed workers. Both centromere positive (C(+)) as well as centromere negative (C(-)) MN were observed by the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique in both of the cell types studied. No difference between C(+) and C(-) MN frequencies was found in the lymphocytes as well as in the buccal cells. Thus, Cr(VI) appears to have both clastogenic as well as aneugenic effects in humans.