DARIA MIHALACHE, V. PREOTEASA, ANGELA PETRESCU

“Victor Babeş” National Institute of Pathology, 99–101, Splaiul Independenţei, Bucharest 050096, Romania

Abstract. The micronucleus test was applied in human circulating lymphocytes as an ex in vivo measure of chromosome breakage using the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay (CBMN) in order to detect the genotoxic-induced action of ionizing radiation in occupationally exposed subjects. The analyzed lots comprised: 105 individuals professionally exposed (68 males and 37 females) and 40 controls (20 males and 20 females). The micronucleation was provided through the CBMN technique, by the micronuclei score in 1000 binucleated lymphocytes/individual. This paper presents: A. The structural and morphological effects on cell nucleus and B. The individual response to the physical noxa, depending on gender, age and length of work in the radioactive environment. When the control and the exposed groups were compared, the induced micronuclei show an increase with the age and with the time spent by the individual in the harmful environment in both genders; this effect is more pronounced in females. The two-tailed Student’s “t”-test was applied for statistical assurance. As a conclusion, it is obvious that these studied individuals belong to a risk group; therefore we recommend biological monitorization and work protection norms to be reinforced.
Key words: Micronucleus test, ionizing radiation, cytokinesis-block, human lymphocytes.

Corresponding author’s e-mail: dmihalache@yahoo.com

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