Background: Ionizing radiation affects human health as it breaks the chemical bonds of the molecules and damages DNA through the manufacturing of free radicals, resulting in apoptosis of proliferative cells/ damage to erythrocytes which may influence the quality of RBC concentrates. The aim of the present investigation is to evaluate the effect of occupational exposure to low dose ionizing radiation versus high dose exposure during radiotherapy on met Hb levels. 150 individuals were included divided into two groups; group I, includes 50 radiation workers (RWs) compared to 25 healthy volunteers' as control group for radiation workers who never exposed to radiation in their work. Group II includes 50 breast cancer patients who were treated with post-operative radiotherapy compared to 25 matched age and sex healthy female volunteers' as control group who had never worked in radiation-related jobs. Methemoglobin was assayed by ELISA. Significant decrease in MCV and serum ferritin was observed among RWs in comparison to the control group. Methemoglobin levels and Reticulocyte % were significantly higher in RWs in comparison to the BCPs. Mean values of WBCs, HB and RBCs were significantly lower in BCPs when compared to RWs, while there was insignificant difference in the mean values of Ht, MCV, MCH and RDW. It is concluded that serum methemoglobin levels and Reticulocyte % can be used as biological markers for early assessment of the absorbed dose in radiation workers.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.