DNA Damage Induced by UV-C Irradiation in Leukocytes of Chernobyl Accident Clean-Up Workers
Rouben M. Arutyunyan1, Galina G. Hovhannisyan1, Elena G.
Ghazanchyan1, and Armen K. Nersesyan1,2
1 Department of Genetics and Cytology, State University, Yerevan, Armenia
2 Cancer Research Center, Yerevan, Armenia
Corresponding author: Armen K. Nersesyan, Ph.D., D.Sc.
Department of Genetics and Cytology, State University
1 Alex Manoukian Street, Yerevan 375049, Armenia
Fax number: 3741-151087
E-mail: genetik@ysu.am
CEJOEM 2001, Vol.7. No.1.:15-21
Key words:
Comet assay, Chernobyl accident, clean-up workers, UV-C irradiation
Abbreviations:
CWs = clean-up workers
CA = chromosomal aberrations
FMF = familial Mediterranean fever
CF = clastogenic factor
Abstract:
The comet assay was used to estimate DNA damage induced by UV-C in leukocytes of 12 persons, who were engaged during 1986-1987 in the clean-up of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident. Blood samples were collected in 1997, i.e., ten years after the radiation exposure. Reference blood samples were obtained from 12 healthy persons of corresponding ages. Our results show an increased repair capacity of DNA in leukocytes of irradiated persons exposed to UV-C compared to leukocytes from controls, presumably due to a radioadaptive response. There was no statistically significant difference in the spontaneous levels of DNA damage in leukocytes between the individuals of the investigated groups. Some ideas concerning adaptive response in cells of persons previously exposed to low doses of ionizing radiation are discussed.
Received: 26 February 2001
Accepted: 21 June 2001
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