Title: Chromosomal aberrations induced by a low dose of neutron irradiation and hyperthermia

Authors: Daryoush Fatehi

Addresses: Department of Medical Physics, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 88155-571, Shahrekord, Iran

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Hyperthermia (HT) on the Frequency of Chromosomal Aberrations (FCA) induced by a low dose of neutron irradiation. Blood samples were exposed to HT, 6cGy neutrons, HT + neutrons and neutrons + HT, and the FCA was scored in metaphase. HT alone at 41.5°C had no effect on FCA; however, the FCA was significantly higher at 43°C (p < 0.05). The FCA was significantly different when cells were irradiated with neutrons alone (p < 0.01). HT after neutron irradiation significantly affected the FCA (p < 0.05) and the FCA was markedly higher when cells were heated at 43°C. As cell death is directly related to the FCA, using HT after neutron irradiation may cause more cell deaths in human lymphocytes. The effect of HT on the FCA is most probably because of its inhibitory role in cell damage repair. Heating cells after neutron irradiation could be considered a suitable cancer treatment modality.

Keywords: low radiation; neutron irradiation; hyperthermia; chromosomal aberrations; cancer treatment; human lymphocytes.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLR.2009.029309

International Journal of Low Radiation, 2009 Vol.6 No.4, pp.283 - 293

Published online: 18 Nov 2009 *

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