A cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus study of the radioadaptive response of lymphocytes of individuals occupationally exposed to chronic doses of radiation

Human lymphocytes pre-exposed to very low doses of ionizing radiation show an adaptive response, which make these cells less sensitive to subsequent higher exposures. To verify the hypothesis that a similar phenomenon can be induced by occupationally (in vivo) received doses of ionizing radiation, the cytogenetic responses of 24 medical radiation workers to 1 and 2 Gy γ-irradiation in comparison with 13 non-exposed individuals have been studied. Cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus assay of lymphocytes revealed that although the frequencies of spontaneous micronuclei in radiation workers are more than non-exposed individuals, after 1 and 2 Gy in vitro irradiation of lymphocytes this frequency was found to be lower for radiation workers. The results suggest the existence of an in vivo adaptive response in individuals chronically exposed to low dose radiation. The observation of radioresistance to higher doses of radiation in pre-exposed lymphocytes might be due to initial DNA damage and an induced DNA repair mechanism.