DNA damage induced by gamma-radiation in combination with ethylene oxide or propylene oxide in human fibroblasts
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Updated: Oct 4, 2026

Measuring DNA Damage and Repair in Mouse Splenocytes After Chronic In Vivo Exposure to Very Low Doses of Beta- and Gamma-Radiation
Published on: July 3, 2015
M Chovanec1, B Cedervall, A Kolman
1Department of Molecular Genetics, Cancer Research Institute, Vlárska 7, 833 91 37, Bratislava, Slovakia.
Abstract:
To estimate the effects of interaction of gamma-rays and an epoxide, cell survival and induction of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) following combined exposure to ionizing radiation and ethylene oxide (EtO) or propylene oxide (PO) were studied in human fibroblasts. Two treatment protocols were applied: (a) the cells were pre-exposed to different doses of gamma-rays and then treated with epoxide, and (b) the cells were pretreated with epoxide and then exposed to different doses of gamma-rays. Here we show that order of the treatment did not play a role in cell survival and that the effect of combined exposure on cell killing was additive for both epoxides. As to DNA DSBs induction, however, a difference dependent upon the order of the treatment was observed. While EtO or PO treatment followed by gamma-rays exposure led to an increased number of DSBs at higher gamma-ray doses (2-3 Gy), no significant increase of DSBs was detected after the opposite order of the treatment (gamma-ray exposure followed by EtO or PO treatment).
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