Title: Integral genotype structure, individual radiosensitivity and health status of personnel chronically exposed to gamma and neutron irradiation

Authors: I.B. Korzeneva, T.V. Malinina, S.I. Zaichkina, Y.E. Dubrova, B.A. Kalabushkin, E.N. Kalacheva, V.F. Samsonova, R.T. Shishova

Addresses: Russian Federal Nuclear Center, All-Russian Research Institute of Experimental Physics (RFNC-VNIIEF), 607190, Nizhny Novgorod Region, Sarov, Mira, 37, Russia. ' Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Science, Russia. ' Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Science, Russia. ' Department of Genetics, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK. ' Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Science, Russia. ' Russian Federal Nuclear Center, All-Russian Research Institute of Experimental Physics (RFNC-VNIIEF), 607190, Nizhny Novgorod Region, Sarov, Mira, 37, Russia. ' Russian Federal Nuclear Center, All-Russian Research Institute of Experimental Physics (RFNC-VNIIEF), 607190, Nizhny Novgorod Region, Sarov, Mira, 37, Russia. ' Central Medical Unit, Sarov, Russia

Abstract: Preliminary data on the effects of genotype and individual radiosensitivity on health status of the group of nuclear reactors| workers from Russian Federal Nuclear Center (RFNC-VNIIEF), Sarov, chronically exposed to gamma and neutron irradiation, are presented. Within this cohort of 75 men, 10 polymorphic loci were typed and the frequency of micronuclei was analysed. The analysis of blood samples irradiated ex-vivo did not reveal significant correlation between the occupational dose and MN induction, therefore indicating the lack of adaptation (hormesis) or increased radiosensitivity within this cohort. The analysis of association between genotypes and morbidity revealed: (1) higher incidence of endocrine diseases among homozygotes EsD 2-2 and Gc 1-1; (2) elevated frequency of urological disorders among homozygotes Gc 1-1; (3) elevated incidence of benign (non-malignant) tumors among homozygotes Gc 2-2 and also GLO 2-2, EsD 1-2 or 2-2, showing differences in the frequencies of spontaneous and radiation-induced MN; (4) elevated incidence of cardio-vascular diseases among homozygotes ACP 1-1 and EsD 1-2 or 2-2, also mediated by the differences in MN frequency. The contribution of genotype and individual radiosensitivity (MN test) to the health status of occupationally exposed individuals will be discussed.

Keywords: gamma irradiation; neutron irradiation; polymorph loci; genotype; micronuclei; radiosensitivity; health risks; susceptibility; endocrine diseases; tumours; morbidity; cardiovascular diseases; Russia; nuclear reactors; nuclear safety; urological disorders; benign tumors; low radiation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLR.2006.010004

International Journal of Low Radiation, 2006 Vol.3 No.1, pp.1 - 19

Published online: 08 Jun 2006 *

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