A Prospective cohort study investigates the health consequences and biomarkers in Iraqi radiation workers

Objectives: Ionizing radiation has the potential to change the pattern of DNA methylation and can cause oxidative damage that may impact DNA. In this prospective cohort study, the effect of ionizing radiation on Iraqi radiation workers has been estimated by investigating the malondialdehyde levels, DNA methylation, DNA fragmentation, as well as the karyorrhectic, differentiated, and basal cells in buccal tissue.

This work involved 80 participants, 40 hospital X-ray workers, and 40 control. Blood samples have been investigated using the NWLSS™ malondialdehyde assay, the gSYNC™ DNA extraction kit, and the comet assay.

The mean values of malondialdehyde level, DNA methylation, and DNA fragmentation (%DNA in tai), in workers were found to be 3.00±0.53, 51.63±26.44, and 26.73±12.67, respectively, while in the control were found to be 0.67±0.11, 13.25±11.30, and 9.09±11.96, respectively. In buccal tissue, the mean values of karyorrhectic cells, differentiated cells, late differentiated cells, and early differentiated cells in workers were found to be 7.70±4.64, 8.98±5.44, 14.74±5.25, and 18.50±6.40, respectively, while in control group were found to be 0.15±0.43, 0.20±0.41, 3.45±1.30, 10.78±1.80, respectively. The level of basal cells in buccal tissue was lower in workers (49.33±18.77) compared to the control group (85.75±2.19).

The observed levels of biomarkers in radiation workers suggest adverse health consequences due to their occupational exposure to ionizing radiation. Controlling the exposure of hospital workers is the first step to improving the health of workers, thus decreasing economic and human costs.