Medical Radiology and Radiation Safety. 2026. Vol. 71. № 3

DOI:10.33266/1024-6177-2026-71-3-19-23

A.V. Simakov¹, Yu.V. Abramov¹, G.L. Goncharenko², I.A. Kemsky³, N.L. Proskuryakova¹, A.F. Bobrov¹

Hygienic Assessment of the Organization of Work on the Removal of SNF from a Basin-Type Storage Facility in the Andreev Bay Branch of the NWC «SevRAO» – Branch of FSUE «Radon»

¹ A.I. Burnazyan Federal Medical Biophysical Center, Moscow, Russia

² North-Western Center (NWC) “SevRAO” ‒ branch of FSUE “Radon”, Murmansk region, Murmansk, Russia

³ Interregional Department No. 120 of the FMBA of Russia, Murmansk region, Snezhnogorsk, Russia

Contact person: N.L. Proskuryakova, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ABSTRACT 

Objective: To experimentally investigate the long-term effects of X-ray irradiation at a dose of 2 Gy in female mice and the transgenerational transmission of mitochondrial dysfunction to their offspring.

Materials and methods: In the blood lymphocytes and ovarian tissue of irradiated female mice (one month post-exposure) and their F1 offspring, we assessed damage to nuclear (nDNA) and mitochondrial (mtDNA) DNA using long-range quantitative PCR (Q-PCR); the total mtDNA copy number; the level of mutant mtDNA copies (D-loop 1 gene); and markers of oxidative stress, namely malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH).

Results: A tissue-specific response was observed in irradiated females. Lymphocytes showed no gross nDNA damage (normal Q-PCR), alongside a moderate increase in mtDNA mutations (+8%) and a trend toward reduced mtDNA copy number. In the ovaries of irradiated females, we registered a persistent decrease in Q-PCR product yield, a significant reduction in mtDNA copy number, the highest level of mutations (+11%), and elevated MDA. Offspring of irradiated females exhibited an increased level of mutant mtDNA copies in both lymphocytes (+8%) and ovaries (+11%); however, a decrease in Q-PCR products and elevated MDA were observed only in the ovaries. GSH levels did not change significantly in any of the groups.

Conclusion: The obtained data indicate the inheritance not so much of fixed mtDNA mutations, but rather of a dysfunctional mitochondrial phenotype (characterized by elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation). This phenotype is realized in the offspring in a tissue-specific manner, depending on the proliferative activity and metabolic load. These results substantiate the necessity of considering mitochondrial status when assessing long-term reproductive risks in women exposed to radiation.

Keywords: mitochondrial DNA, ionizing radiation, oxidative stress, ovaries, lymphocytes, transgenerational effects, long-range PCR, mtDNA, mitochondrial dysfunction, mice

For citation: Simakov AV, Abramov YuV, Goncharenko GL, Kemsky IA, Proskuryakova NL, Bobrov AF. Hygienic Assessment of the Organization of Work on the Removal of SNF from a Basin-Type Storage Facility in the Andreev Bay Branch of the NWC «SevRAO» – Branch of FSUE «Radon». Medical Radiology and Radiation Safety. 2026;71(3):19–23. DOI:10.33266/1024-6177-2026-71-3-19-23

References

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5.Simakov M.K., Sneve Yu., Abramov A., Grigoriev G., Goncharenko  K., Siegien  N., Proskuryakova  M., Semenova  G., Smith M. Progress with the Regulation of Radiation Safety during Recovery and Removal of Spent Nuclear Fuel from the Site for Temporary Storage at Andreeva Bay on the Kola Peninsula. Journal of Radiological Protection.  2023;43:3. Doi: 10.1088/1361-6498/acea2c.

 PDF (RUS) Full-text article (in Russian)

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: 20.02.2026. Accepted for publication: 25.03.2026.