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Evaluation of circulating microparticles in healthy medical workers occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation: A

Ghassan Al-Massarani1, Fadi Najjar2, Abdulmunim Aljapawe3

  • 1Atomic Energy Commission of Syria (AECS), Damascus, Syria (Biomarkers Laboratory, Department of Radiation Medicine). ascientific@aec.org.sy.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health
|December 21, 2018
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Occupational exposure to low doses of ionizing radiation significantly increases microparticle (MP) levels in medical workers. Elevated MP may serve as a biomarker for detecting cellular damage from radiation exposure.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Occupational Health
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Ionizing radiation is known to disrupt cellular structures, including the cytoskeleton.
  • Disruption of the cytoskeleton can lead to the formation of microparticles (MPs), which are released from parent cells and carry cellular constituents.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of occupational exposure to low doses of ionizing radiation on circulating microparticle (MP) levels.
  • To determine if MP levels can serve as a biomarker for occupational radiation exposure.

Main Methods:

  • A study involving 38 medical workers occupationally exposed to low-dose ionizing radiation and 29 matched controls.
  • Microparticle (MP) levels were quantified using flow cytometry and classified by phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure (PS+ or PS-) and cellular origin.

Main Results:

  • Total MP levels were significantly higher in radiation-exposed workers compared to controls (p = 0.0004).
  • Microparticles derived from platelets, endothelial cells, leukocytes, and erythrocytes were significantly elevated in exposed workers (p < 0.0001).
  • No significant differences were found in other blood elements or C-reactive protein levels; no association was observed with confounding factors.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated circulating MP levels indicate cellular damage resulting from occupational exposure to low-dose ionizing radiation.
  • Quantification of MPs appears to be a valuable biomarker for assessing the adverse effects of occupational radiation exposure.
Keywords:
biomarkerscellular damageflow cytometryionizing radiationmicroparticlesoccupational exposure

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