Mechanoluminescence: lymphocyte analysis after exposure to ionizing radiation.

Lymphocyte mechanoluminescence (ML) develops as a result of mechanochemical activation of cells. This paper describes devices (tribogenerators) and techniques for lymphocyte mechanoluminescence analysis. At different stages of the cellular cycle the ML of non-irradiated peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) showed characteristic differences. After (60)Co gamma -irradiation of PBL in vitro at 0.25 Gy and 1 Gy an alteration of ML was observed with a relationship between ML values of lymphocytes, and also of mitochondria (MT), and the dose of ionizing radiation used. By using bioluminescence techniques it was shown that gamma-irradiation reduces the amount of ATP synthesized by PBL in the stationary phase.