Medical Radiology and Radiation Safety. 2025. Vol. 70. № 6
DOI:10.33266/1024-6177-2025-70-6-108-114
T.V. Vishnevskaya1, E.V. Bronikovskaya1, M.Yu. Tsyplenkova1,
D.S. Isubakova1, O.S. Tsymbal1, I.V. Milto1, 2, R.M. Takhauov1, 2
The Importance of an Increased Frequency of Chromosomal Aberrations of Blood Lymphocytes in the Formation of Malignant Neoplasms in Workers of an Atomic Energy Facility
1 Seversk Biophysical Research Center, Seversk, Russia
2 Siberian State Medical University, Tomsk, Russia
Contact person: Tatyana V. Vishnevskaya, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: To carry out a comparative analysis of the frequency of chromosomal aberrations of blood lymphocytes in conditionally healthy workers of an atomic energy facility and workers with malignant neoplasms who were exposed to external gamma radiation in the course of their professional activities.
Material and methods: The material for the study was the venous blood of workers exposed to ionizing radiation during the performance of their work duties (external exposure to gamma radiation). The study included 58 male production workers, who were divided into two groups: group I (n = 42, workers with no history of hypertension at the time of blood collection) and group II (n = 16 workers with malignant neoplasm). When forming the sample, workers with internal and/or combined radiation were excluded. Cytogenetic analysis was performed on cultured blood lymphocytes after routine staining with Giemsa dye.
Results: When comparing the frequency of chromosomal aberrations in blood lymphocytes of conditionally healthy workers of an ionizing radiation facility and workers of an ionizing radiation facility with malignant neoplasms, an increase in the frequency of chromosomal fragments (p = 0.0207) was revealed in workers of an ionizing radiation facility with malignant neoplasms. The frequencies of other types of chromosomal aberrations studied (chromatid fragments, dicentric and ring chromosomes) do not differ between the groups.
Discussion: Cytogenetic analysis of chromosomal aberrations in blood cells is a reliable and highly sensitive method for assessing radiation exposure. Chromosomal abnormalities serve as a biological marker of ionizing radiation. An increase in the frequency of chromosomal aberrations may indicate damage to the DNA structure, which is mainly due to a decrease in the ability of cells to repair it in workers of an atomic energy facility with malignant neoplasms.
Conclusion: Considering that ionizing radiation is one of the harmful production factors of an atomic energy facility, the main pathogenetic mechanism of action on a cell is DNA damage, employees of an atomic energy facility who are exposed in the course of their professional activities belong to the group of increased risk of malignant neoplasms. In this regard, careful medical supervision of employees of an atomic energy facility who are exposed to man-made ionizing radiation during their professional activities is necessary for the prevention and timely detection of malignant neoplasms. Based on the results obtained, it is advisable to recommend routine cytogenetic blood testing of employees of an atomic energy facility during preliminary and periodic medical examinations to form groups at increased risk of developing malignant neoplasms.
Keywords: chromosomal aberrations, professional exposure, malignant neoplasms, cytogenetic study, blood lymphocytes
For citation: Vishnevskaya TV, Bronikovskaya EV, Tsyplenkova MYu, Isubakova DS, Tsymbal OS, Milto IV, Takhauov RM. The Importance of an Increased Frequency of Chromosomal Aberrations of Blood Lymphocytes in the Formation of Malignant Neoplasms in Workers of an Atomic Energy Facility. Medical Radiology and Radiation Safety. 2025;70(6):108–114. (In Russian). DOI:10.33266/1024-6177-2025-70-6-108-114
References
1. Gorobets M.I., Kulikova M.A. Use of Ionizing Radiation in Plant Breeding. Gorinskiye Chteniya. Innovatsionnyye Resheniya dlya APK = Innovative Solutions for the Agro-Industrial Complex: Proceedings of the International Student Scientific Conference. V.1. Mayskiy, March 13–15, 2024, Belgorod State Agrarian University. Mayskiy, Belgorodskiy Gosudarstvennyy Agrarnyy Universitet Publ., 2024. P. 203 (In Russ.).
2. Narkhova A.A., Vazirov R.A., Zvezdakova T.N. Evaluation of Morphophysiological Properties of Wheat Under the Influence of Low-Energy Ionizing Radiation. Fizika. Tekhnologii. Innovatsii = Physics. Technologies. Innovations. Abstracts of Reports of the X International Youth Scientific Conference Dedicated to the 120th Anniversary of the Birth of Academicians I.V. Kurchatov and A.P. Alexandrov. Ekaterinburg, May 15–19, 2023. Ekaterinburg, ABM Publ., 2023. P. 884–885 (In Russ.).
3. Geras’kin S.A., Bondarenko Ye.V., Bondarenko V.S., Volkova P.Yu. Radiobiological Foundations of the Use of Ionizing Radiation in Agrobiotechnology. Radiatsionnyye Tekhnologii v Sel’skom Khozyaystve i Pishchevoy Promyshlennosti. Trudy VNIIRAE = Radiation Technologies in Agriculture and Food Industry: Proceedings of the VNIIRAE. Vol. 5. Ed. N.I. Sanzharova. Obninsk, Vserossiyskiy Nauchno-Issledovatel’skiy Institut Radiologii i Agroekologii Publ., 2023. P. 17-33 (In Russ.).
4. Krivushin K.N., Myseva Ye.R. Use of Ionizing Radiation in Medicine. Innovatsionnyye Mekhanizmy Upravleniya Tsifrovoy i Regional’noy Ekonomikoy = Innovative Mechanisms for Managing the Digital and Regional Economy. Proceedings of the V International Student Scientific Conference. Moscow, June 15–16, 2023, National Research Nuclear University “MIFI”. Moscow, Natsional’nyy Issledovatel’skiy Yadernyy Universitet “MIFI” Publ., 2023. P. 378–383 (In Russ.).
5. Marennyy A.M., Kiselev S.M., Semenov S.Yu. On the Problem of Ensuring Protection of the Population of Russia from Natural Sources of Ionizing Radiation. Part I. Natural Sources and their Regulation. Meditsina Ekstremal’nykh Situatsiy = Medicine of Extreme Situations. 2019;21;3:371–382 (In Russ.).
6. Aydinov G.T., Pravdyukova Ye.A., Polivenko V.A., Lipatova Ye.A. Natural Sources of Ionizing Radiation. Radon as the Most Significant Cause of Population Irradiation. Radiatsionnyy Kontrol’. Radiokhimicheskiye Metody Issledovaniya = Radiation Control. Radiochemical Research Methods. Collection of Abstracts of the Scientific and Practical Conference with International Participation. St. Petersburg, December 6–8, 2010. St. Petersburg, Sankt-Peterburgskiy Nauchno-Issledovatel’skiy Institut Radiatsionnoy Gigiyeny Im. Professora P.V. Ramzayeva Publ., 2010. P. 111 (In Russ.).
7. Ramadhani D., Purnami S., Suvifan V.A., Wanandi S.I., Wibowo H., Syaifudin M. Preliminary Study of Chromosome Aberrations Using Giemsa, Two-Colour Fish, and Micronucleus Assays in Lymphocytes of Individuals Living in Elevated Radon Concentration Areas. Radiation Protection Dosimetry. 2023;199;14:1508–1515. doi: 10.1093/rpd/ncac165.
8. Kormanovskaya T.A., Romanovich I.K., Vyal’tsina N.Ye., Gayevoy S.V., Bondar’ L.V., Kononenko D.V., Saprykin K.A., Kokoulina Ye.S., Balabina T.A., Koroleva N.A. Irradiation of the Population of the Orenburg Region by Natural Sources of Ionizing Radiation Part 1: Results of a Comprehensive Radiation Survey of Populated Areas in the Eastern Districts of the Orenburg Region. Radiatsionnaya Gigiyena = Radiation Hygiene. 2023;16;1:6–18 (In Russ.). doi: 10.21514/1998-426X-2023-16-1-6-18.
9. Yevseyev N.F., Isakov O.A., Popov S.N. Review of Materials of the Annual Information Handbook “Radiation Doses of the Population of the Bryansk Region from Various Sources of Ionizing Radiation” for 2022. Aktual’nyye Voprosy Radiatsionnoy Gigiyeny = Actual Issues of Radiation Hygiene. Proceedings of the All-Russian Scientific and Practical Conference with International Participation. St. Petersburg, October 10–11, 2023, St. Petersburg. Research Institute of Radiation Hygiene named after Professor P.V. Ramzaev. St. Petersburg, Sankt-Peterburgskiy Nauchno-Issledovatel’skiy Institut Radiatsionnoy Gigiyeny Im.bProfessora P.V. Ramzayeva Publ., 2023. P. 126-129 (In Russ.).
10. Proskuryakova N.L., Simakov A.V., Abramov Yu.V. Hygienic Aspects of Special Assessment of Working Conditions when Working with Sources of Ionizing Radiation. Meditsinskaya Radiologiya i Radiatsionnaya Bezopasnost’= Medical Radiology and Radiation Safety. 2022;4;67:19–23 (In Russ.). doi: 10.33266/1024-6177-2022-67-4-19-23.
11. Vishnevskaya T.V., Tsyplenkova M.Yu., Isubakova D.S., Tsymbal O.S., Mil’to I.V., Takhauov R.M. Evaluation of the Spectrum and Frequency of Chromosomal Aberrations in Blood Lymphocytes of Workers at a Nuclear Facility Over 15 Years of Work. Radiatsionnaya Gigiyena = Radiation Hygiene. 2025;18;1:18–26 (In Russ.). doi: 10.21514/1998-426X-2025-18-1-18-26.
12. Khvostunov I.K., Krylov V.V., Rodichev A.A., Shepel’ N.N., Korovchuk O.N., Kochetova T.Yu. Analysis of the Adverse Effects of Combined Radioiodine and Radiation Therapy in Patients with Thyroid Cancer. Radiatsiya i risk (Byulleten’ Byulleten’ Natsional’nogo Radiatsionno-Epidemiologicheskogo Registra) = Radiation and Risk. 2021;4:1–12 (In Russ.).
13. Vishnevskaya T.V., Isubakova D.S., Tsyplenkova M.Yu., Tsymbal O.S., Mil’to I.V., Takhauov R.M. Comparative Retrospective Analysis of the Results of Cytogenetic Studies of Workers at a Facility Using Ionizing Radiation Meditsinskaya Radiologiya i Radiatsionnaya Bezopasnost’= Medical Radiology and Radiation Safety. 2024;69;1:61–66 (In Russ.). doi: 10.33266/1024-6177-2024-69-1-61-66.
14. Bakanova M.L., Minina V.I., Savchenko Ya.A. Associations of Polymorphic Variants of Genes Encoding Xenobiotic Biotransformation Enzymes and Human Lung Cancer. Meditsinskaya Genetika = Medical Genetics. 2012;11;125:13–20 (In Russ.).
15. Zhumabekova G.S., Amanbekova A.U., Ibrayeva L.K., Azhimetova G.N. Evaluation of Induced Mutagenesis in Workers of Chrysotile Asbestos Production. Meditsina Truda i Promyshlennaya Ekologiya = Russian Journal of Occupational Health and Industrial Ecology. 2014;8:18–22 (In Russ.).
16. Tsymbal O.S., Isubakova D.S., Bronikovskaya Ye.V., Nikolayeva A.F., Sigin V.O., Kalinkin A.I., Kirillov V.M., Startseva Zh.A., Litvyakov N.V., Mil’to I.V., Takhauov R.M. Assessment of the Degree of DNA Methylation in Lymphocytes after a Single Irradiation of Blood In vitro. Radiatsionnaya Biologiya. Radioekologiya = Radiation Biology. Radioecology. 2024;2;64:126–135 (In Russ.). doi: 10.31857/S0869803124020021.
17. Kadlcikova D., Musilova P., Hradska H., Petrovova M., Selingerova I., Vozdova M., Svoboda M., Rubes J. Different Chromosome Damage in Lymphocytes of Newly Diagnosed Gastrointestinal and Breast Cancer Patients. Neoplasma. 2020;67;3:668–676. doi: 10.4149/neo_2020_190604N48.
18. Lee Y., Kang J.K., Lee Y.H., Yoon H.J., Yang S.S., Kim S.H. Seongjae J., Sunhoo P., Da H.H., Won I.J., Hyung J.Y., Eun K.P., Hyo R.L., Ki M.S. Chromosome Aberration Dynamics in Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Radiotherapy: Implications for Radiation Biodosimetry. Mutation Research/Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis. 2021;872:503419. doi: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2021.503419.
PDF (RUS) Full-text article (in Russian)
Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Financing. The study was carried out as part of a state assignment, the topic of which was ‟Studying the Association of Gene Variability in Cell Signal Transduction Pathways with Increased Frequency of Chromosomal Aberrations in Blood Lymphocytes of Employees at the Siberian Chemical Plant”.
Contribution. Vishnevskaya T.V. – preparation of the article text, analysis and interpretation of data, collection and analysis of the manuscript material, development of the research concept and design; Bronikovskaya E.V. – conducting experiments, Tsyplenkova M.Yu., Tsymbal O.S. – conducting experiments and statistical data processing; Isubakova D.S. – development of the research concept, internal audit, Milto I.V. – scientific editing of the text, verification of critical intellectual content; Takhauov R.M. – scientific editing of the text, approval of the final version of the manuscript.
Article received: 20.07.2025. Accepted for publication: 25.08.2025.