Clastogenic factors in the plasma of children exposed at Chernobyl

Title: Clastogenic factors in the plasma of children exposed at Chernobyl

Author: Emerit, I / Quastel, M / Goldsmith, J / Merkin, L / Levy, A / Cernjavski, L / Alaoui-Youssefi, A / (…) / Riklis, E

Reference: Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis, 373 (1), p.47-54, Jan 1997
doi: 10.1016/S0027-5107(96)00187-X

Keywords: Chernobyl; Clastogenic factor

Abstract: Clastogenic factors (CFs), as they were described previously in accidentally or therapeutically irradiated persons, in A-bomb survivors and in liquidators of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, were also detected in the plasma of Chernobyl-exposed children. A high percentage of plasma ultrafiltrates from 170 children, immigrated to Israel in 1990, exerted clastogenic effects in test cultures set up with blood from healthy donors. The differences were highly significant in comparison to children immigrated from `clean’ cities of the former Soviet Union or children born in Israel. The percentage of CF-positive children and the mean values of the adjusted clastogenic scores (ACS) were higher for those coming from Gomel and Mozyr, which are high exposure sites (IAEA measurements), compared to those coming from Kiev. There was no correlation between residual 137-Caesium body burden and presence of CFs. However, both measurements were not done at the same time (in 1990 and 1992–1994, respectively). Also no relationship could be revealed between enlargement of the thyroid gland and CF-positivity. CFs are not only observed after irradiation, but in a variety of chronic inflammatory diseases with autoimmune reactions. They were also described in the congenital breakage syndromes, which are hereditary diseases with the highest cancer incidence in humans. Whether the clastogenic effects continuously produced by circulating CFs represent a risk factor for malignant late effects deserves further study and follow-up. Since CF formation and CF action are mediated by superoxide radicals, prophylactic treatment with antioxidants may be suggested for Chernobyl-exposed children, whose plasma induces a strongly positive CF-test.

URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S002751079600187X

Chromosome aberrations in lymphocytes and clastogenic factors in plasma detected in Belarus children 10 years after Chernobyl accident

Title: Chromosome aberrations in lymphocytes and clastogenic factors in plasma detected in Belarus children 10 years after Chernobyl accident

Author: Gemignani, Federica / Ballardin, Michela / Maggiani, Francesca / Rossi, Anna M / Antonelli, A / Barale, Roberto

Reference: Mutation Research/Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis, 446 (2), p.245-253, Dec 1999

doi: 10.1016/S1383-5718(99)00194-1

Keywords: Chromosome aberrant cells; Lymphocytes; Clastogenic factors; Belarus; Chernobyl accident

Abstract: In 1996, 10 years after Chernobyl accident, a cytogenetic analysis was carried out to assess whether chromosome aberrant cells (CA) were still detectable in the lymphocytes and clastogenic factors (CFs) were present in the plasma of children coming from Gomel (Belarus), one of the most heavily contaminated regions. Furthermore, the possible contribution of plasmatic CFs to the amount of CA was investigated. The presence of CA was examined in the lymphocytes from 29 thyroid tumour-affected children and 41 healthy children (local controls). Thirty healthy children living in Pisa (Italy) were enrolled in the study as additional controls from an uncontaminated area….

URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1383571899001941

DNA damage evaluated by alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) in children of Chernobyl, 10 years after the disaster

Title: DNA damage evaluated by alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) in children of Chernobyl, 10 years after the disaster

Author: Frenzilli, G / Bosco, E / Antonelli, A / Panasiuk, G / Barale, R
Reference: Mutation Research/Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis, 491 (1-2), p.139-149, Apr 2001

doi: 10.1016/S1383-5718(01)00136-X

Keywords: Single cell gel electrophoresis; Human leukocytes; DNA damage; Bleomycin; Clastogenic factors

Abstract: Using the alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (Comet) assay, the extent of DNA damage was evaluated in leukocytes of 43 Belarussian children (16 healthy and 27 affected by thyroid cancer). Thirty-nine healthy children from Pisa (Italy) were enrolled in the study as controls. In addition to basal levels of DNA damage, leukocytes were treated in vitro with bleomycin (BLM), a radiomimetic drug, to evaluate a possible adaptive response in different groups of children….

URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S138357180100136X