Micronuclei and Gamma-H2AX Detection in Medical Radiation Workers

Abstract

One of the most harmful DNA lesions brought on by exposure to ionizing radiation (IR) is DNA double-strand breaks. The working duration time may affect the dose accumulation of radiation workers routinely exposed to IR. The study presented here aims to determine the correlation between micronuclei (MN) frequency and γ-H2AX foci index in medical workers who are occupationally exposed to low-dose IR. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were collected from 30 radiation workers that grouped working less and more than 20 years, consisting of radiologists, nurses, cardiologists and radiology technicians. MN frequencies were calculated by analysing 1000 binucleated cells and γ-H2AX foci were calculated by analysing 50 cells. No significant difference was observed between the γ-H2AX foci frequencies and MN indexes when comparing the exposed group with working years ≥20 compared to those working <20 years. Chronic exposure to low-dose IR increases the DNA repair process and reduces micronuclei formation.