Investigating Genetic Damage in Peripheral Lymphocytes of Radiation Workers at Al-Tuwaitha Site in Iraq Using Four Genetic End-Points

Abstract

The present study aims to use the biological techniques in a genotoxicity assessment of DNA damage in peripheral lymphocytes of radiation workers at Al-Tuwaitha site due to decommissioning to radioactive contamination as a result of work during January 2010 to December 2011. The subjects were divided into two groups: (i) 85 workers from radiation workers at Al-Tuwaitha site; (ii) 50 controls were matched non-smoking and no alcohol drink. Fresh blood samples were collected from the workers and controls. Four genetic parameter were studied using the micronucleus (MN) test, nuclear division index (NDI) test, the comet assay and hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT) mutation assay. The results of the MN test showed that the average of MN per cell (Mean ± SE) in workers were 0.025 ± 0.0016 MN/ cells, which were significantly higher than those 0.010 ± 0.0006 MN/ cells in controls P 0.01. Mean while, the results of the average of mutation frequency for HPRT were no significant differences rate for radiation workers compared with the control group P> 0.01. In conclusion, the results of our experiment suggest that the accumulation of genetic damage is detectable in peripheral lymphocytes of radiation workers at Al-Tuwaitha site. Also, the current results of frequency MN and NDI within of normal values according of the technical report of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) No. 405, 2001.

Keywords

• Genetic Damage, Peripheral Lymphocytes, Genetic End-Points