Differential radiation effects in smokers – culture time dependence of the yield of gamma ray-induced chromosome damage in first division metaphases

Abstract

TA in conventional or FPG stained metaphase chromosomes is not a sensitive cytogenetic marker for mutagen exposed population screening. Higher radiation induced CA frequencies in M1 cells with extended culture time were indicative of a delay in cell cycle progression of aberrant cells or different lymphocyte subset populations. Bridge-breakage-fusion (BBF) events due to dicentrics may be instrumental in the perpetuation of chromosomal instability. Differential effects were noted in radiation-induced dicentric, SCE and MN frequencies in smokers compared to non-smokers. Heavy smoking could be a confounding variable in chromosome-based biodosimetry and biomonitoring studies. Giant cells may denote a switch to amitotic modes of cell survival, providing additional mechanisms of genotoxic resistance.