Medical Radiology and Radiation Safety. 2025. Vol. 70. № 6
DOI:10.33266/1024-6177-2025-70-6-20-27
V.I. Arkhipova1, A.M. Lyaginskaya1, S.A. Abdullaev1, 2, O.V. Parinov1,
E.G. Metlyaev1
Evaluation of Mitochondrial Function in Blood Lymphocytes
and Ovaries of Mice After Exposure to X-Ray Radiation
1 A.I. Burnazyan Federal Medical Biophysical Center, Moscow, Russia
2 Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Pushchino, Russia
Contact person: V.I. Arkhipova, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: To experimentally assess the damage to nuclear DNA (nDNA) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), the quantitative content of mtDNA copies and their mutant forms (heteroplasmy), as well as the level of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde, MDA) and the activity of the antioxidant system (reduced glutathione, GSH) in lymphocytes and ovaries of mice after exposure to X-ray radiation at a dose of 2 Gy.
Material and methods: The study used female C57BL/6 mice aged 2 months with a body weight of 22‒25 g. The animals were exposed to X-ray radiation at a dose of 2 Gy. The assessed molecular genetic and biochemical parameters included damage to nuclear DNA (nDNA) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), total copy number and degree of heteroplasmy (mutant mtDNA copies), as well as the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH). Analyses were performed 24 hours and 7 days after irradiation.
Results: The results showed that irradiation of mice with a dose of 2 Gy led to an increased level of damage to both nDNA and mtDNA in blood lymphocytes and ovaries. It was demonstrated that the number of mtDNA copies increases relative to nDNA in lymphocytes and ovaries of mice over the 7-day post-radiation period. However, the increase in the total number of mtDNA copies was accompanied by an elevated level of mutant mtDNA copies. A significant accumulation of mutant mtDNA copies was noted (up to 15 % in lymphocytes and 18 % in ovaries by day 7). Furthermore, in both studied tissues of irradiated mice, an increase in MDA levels and a decrease in GSH levels were registered compared to control animals. The changes in all studied parameters were more pronounced in ovarian tissue compared to lymphocytes.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that radiation exposure induces mitochondrial dysfunction characterized by mtDNA damage, accumulation of mutant copies, and development of oxidative stress. The pronounced changes in the ovaries underscore the high radiosensitivity of reproductive organs. Damage to mtDNA and subsequent mitochondrial dysfunction represent one of the key mechanisms of radiation-induced tissue damage, which is important for assessing long-term consequences, including reproductive disorders and transgenerational effects.
Keywords: X-ray radiation, mice, lymphocytes, ovaries, mitochondrial dysfunction
For citation: Arkhipova VI, Lyaginskaya AM, Abdullaev SA, Parinov OV, Metlyaev EG. Evaluation of Mitochondrial Function in Blood Lymphocytes and Ovaries of Mice After Exposure to X-Ray Radiation. Medical Radiology and Radiation Safety. 2025;70(6):20–27. (In Russian). DOI:10.33266/1024-6177-2025-70-6-20-27
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Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Financing. The study had no sponsorship.
Contribution. Article was prepared with equal participation of the authors.
Article received: 20.07.2025. Accepted for publication: 25.08.2025.