Authors: Georgieva, Radostina¹; Guleva, Ilona²; Rupova, Ivanka¹; Djunova, Jana²; Acheva, Anna¹; Vukov, Mircho³; Dimitrov, Borislav D.⁴

Source: International Journal of Low Radiation, Volume 6, Number 3, 11 October 2009 , pp. 263-282(20)

Publisher: Inderscience Publishers

Abstract:

The idea of favourable effects of low dose ionising radiation in biological systems has existed for many years and is the basis of radiation hormesis hypothesis. New evidence at subcellular levels might contribute to further clarify this problem. We used molecular epidemiological biomarkers (DNA/protein changes in peripheral blood; immunological changes in lymphocytes) in occupationally-exposed individuals (400 Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) workers). Two levels of investigations were studied: molecular (spontaneous and induced DNA repair by unscheduled DNA synthesis, induced protein synthesis, DNA damage) and cellular (lymphocyte subsets, immunofluorescent-stained mouse monoclonal antibodies). Potentially lethal damage is decreased in persons with mean annual dose ≤5 mSv. The highest repair capacity (after 2 Gy γ-rays) was also evaluated. Significant decreases of CD3+4+, CD4+25+, CD4+62L+ lymphocytes and CD4/CD8 ratio were observed at <200 mSv. Simultaneously, increased natural killer cells, CD57+8+, CD8+28+ and CD8+38 were recorded. Our study showed DNA repair capacity elevation following high dose irradiation and increased cellular resistance at annual doses twice lower than natural radiation background. We postulated that the positive dose correlation with CD4+25+ and CD57+8+ as well as the negative one with CD4+62L+, CD8+28+ and CD8+38+ could reflect adaptive processes and compensatory activated immune system due to the low dose irradiation.

Keywords: ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALS; Environment and Sustainable Development; HEALTHCARE AND LEISURE JOURNALS; Healthcare and Medical Engineering; ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALS; Nuclear Science and Technology

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1504/IJLR.2009.028903

Affiliations: 1: Department of Radiobiology, National Centre of Radiobiology and Radiation Protection, Ministry of Health, 132 Kliment Ohridski Blvd., Sofia 1756, Bulgaria. 2: Department of Radiation Medicine, National Centre of Radiobiology and Radiation Protection, Ministry of Health, 132 Kliment Ohridski Blvd., Sofia 1756, Bulgaria. 3: Department of Information Systems and Technologies, National Centre of Health Informatics, Ministry of Health, Sofia 1000, Bulgaria. 4: Department of Patient Information, Computing, and Network Support Services, University Hospital

Publication date: 2009-10-11

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• The International Journal of Low Radiation is a peer-reviewed journal dedicated to the publication of research articles, review papers and technical notes in all domains related to low-dose radiation, among which are the biological and health effects in humans and the biota, in vitro and in vivo research on low radiation effects, regulatory and policy aspects, risk estimation and public perception.
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