Chromosomal aberrations induced by (12)C6+ ions and 60Co gamma-rays in mouse immature oocytes

The ovaries of Kun-Ming strain mice (3 weeks) were irradiated with different doses of (12)C6+ ion or (60)Co gamma-ray. Chromosomal aberrations were analyzed in metaphase II oocytes at 7 weeks after irradiation. The relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of (12)C6+ ion was calculated with respect to 60Co gamma-ray for the induction of chromosomal aberrations. The (12)C6+ ion and 60Co gamma-ray dose-response relationships for chromosomal aberrations were plotted by linear quadratic models. The data showed that there was a dose-related increase in frequency of chromosomal aberrations in all the treated groups compared to controls. The RBE values for (12)C6+ ions relative to 60Co gamma-rays were 2.49, 2.29, 1.57, 1.42 or 1.32 for the doses of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 or 6.0 Gy, respectively. Moreover, a different distribution of the various types of aberrations has been found for (12)C6+ ion and 60Co gamma-ray irradiations. The dose-response relationships for (12)C6+ ion and 60Co gamma-ray exhibited positive correlations. The results from the present study may be helpful for assessing genetic damage following exposure of immature oocytes to ionizing radiation.     

Studies on chromosome aberrations in the eggs of mice fertilized in vitro after irradiation. II. Chromosome aberrations induced in mature oocytes and fertilized eggs at the pronuclear stage following X-irradiation

Cytological analysis of the first-cleavage metaphase of eggs exposed to X-rays at the mature oocyte stage or the pronuclear stage 4 h after fertilization was performed using the in vitro fertilization technique. The frequency of chromosome aberrations in irradiated mature oocytes increased exponentially with dose, the dose-response relationship being best fitted to the linear-quadratic model. On the other hand, in eggs irradiated at the early pronuclear stage, the frequency increased linearly with dose and the dose-response relationship was best fitted to the linear model. The aberrations were mainly chromosome-type (mature oocytes: 86.0% and pronuclear stage: 88.5%) and the majority were fragments in both cases. Eggs in the early pronuclear stage were markedly more radiation-sensitive than mature oocytes. A comparison of the present results with the previous ones (Matsuda et al., 1985b) showed that the sensitivities to induction of chromosome aberrations were in the order: egg at early pronuclear stage (highest) greater than mature oocyte greater than mature sperm.     

Studies on radiation-induced chromosome aberrations in mouse spermatocytes. II. Dose-response relationships of chromosome aberrations induced at zygotene stage in mouse primary spermatocytes following fast neutron- and 60Co gamma-irradiations

The chromosome aberrations induced at zygotene stage in mouse spermatocytes following exposures to fast neutrons and 60Co gamma-rays were examined at diakinesis-metaphase I. The dose-response relationships were well fitted to linear equation for deletion-type aberrations and to linear-quadratic equation for exchange-type aberrations in 60Co gamma-irradiation group. In fast neutron-irradiation group, the dose-response relationships were well fitted to linear equations for deletion- and exchange-type aberrations. The rate of deletion-type aberrations was remarkably high for fast neutrons, about 6 times higher than that after 60Co gamma-irradiation. The main types of chromosome aberrations observed were iso-chromatid breaks or fragments and chromatid exchanges in both irradiation groups as well as X-irradiation. These results indicate that there is a possibility that two double-strand breaks are induced simultaneously at iso-locus position in sister chromatids by a single track of radiations. Production of such single-track-induced two double-strand breaks in iso-chromatids may be very frequently expressed as iso-chromatid-type deletions in the high LET fast neutron-irradiation group. On the contrary, in the low LET 60Co gamma- or X-irradiation group, the above-mentioned mechanism may not be so effective for contribution to chromosome aberration induction in mouse spermatocytes. This mechanism was discussed in detail.     

Distribution pattern and dose-response-relationship of chromosome aberrations in human lymphocytes induced in vitro by 60Co gamma-rays and 110 kV X-rays.

Peripheral blood lymphocyte culture system was used to construct reference dose-response curves for 60Co gamma-rays and 110 kV X-ray-induced chromosome aberrations at 6 dose points ranging from 0.25 to 4.0 Gy. Qualitative and quantitative differences between these two types of radiation for the yield of induced aberrations and their distribution pattern were analysed. Experimental data of aberration yields were compared after fitting them to five different dose-response models. The yields of chromosome aberrations in particular dicentrics, gave a good fit to linear-quadratic besides linear and power models. In this model, single-track events predominated over double-track events for both the qualities of radiation used. The pattern of distribution was mainly Poisson for dicentrics but gave a conflicting result for acentrics which was in excess.     

Induction of translocations in mouse spermatogonia after fractionated exposure to 60Co gamma-rays

Male mice of the Q strain were exposed to 60Co gamma-rays at 2 Gy and 2 X 2 Gy separated by increasing time intervals (from 0 min to 4 min). The chromosome translocations induced in spermatogonia were scored at diakinesis-metaphase I. A significant decrease of the translocation frequency at time intervals higher than 2 min was observed, confirming results obtained with plant materials.     

Chromosome aberrations induced by a marsupial herpes virus in cultured marsupial mouse cells

Cultured cells of the marsupial mouse Antechinus rosamondae showed chromosome aberrations (up to 29% of total metaphase spreads) from 7 to 27 h after infection with a marsupial herpes virus. The lesions included chromosome and chromatid breaks and gaps, breaks through the centromeres and pulverization. Aberrations were found in all seven chromosome pairs, and the distribution of lesions suggested some specificity in the induction of damage.     

Modifications induced in phosphatidylcholine multilayers by Co-60 gamma-rays.

Using differential scanning calorimetry it was observed that gamma-radiation induced modifications in dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine (DMPC) multilayers in excess water. It was observed that, with the increase of the absorbed dose, the peak associated with the pretransition disappeared gradually, while the peak associated with the main transition became wider and flatter. The enthalpy change associated with the pretransition was found to be 4.4 +/- 0.3 kJ/mol of DMPC before irradiation and that associated with the main transition was found to be 26.0 +/- 1.3 kJ/mol of DMPC before and after irradiation. Moreover from our measurements, it seems that the trapped water becomes stable free water, because of the effect of the gamma-radiation.     

Chromosome aberrations in human lymphocytes induced by fission neutrons

The dose-response relationships of dicentrics and excess acentrics were analysed after exposure of human lymphocytes to a mixed fission neutron-gamma-ray beam. From the analysis of exclusively first division cells a linear-quadratic relation was obtained for dicentrics with the ratio of linear and quadratic components, zeta, equal to 2.76 Gy. Over the range of doses studied (0.04-1.97 Gy) intratrack events therefore predominated. This also applied to acentrics which were linearly related to dose. At the lowest level of observed effect and dose, r.b.e. values with respect to 60Co gamma-rays of up to about 11 were derived for dicentrics and acentrics. With increasing neutron dose the r.b.e. decreased.     

Chromosome aberrations induced in human lymphocytes by neutron irradiation.

In vitro dose--response curves of unstable chromosome aberrations in human lymphocytes have been obtained for neutron spectra of mean energies 0-7, 0-9, 7-6 and 14-7 MeV. The aberration yields have been fitted to the quadratic function Y = alphaD + betaD2, which is consistent with the single-track and two-track model of aberration formation. However with high-LET radiation, the linear component of yield, corresponding to damage caused by single tracks, predominants, and this term becomes more dominant with increasing LET, so that for fission spectrum neutrons the relationship is linear, Y = alphaD. At low doses, such as those recieved by radiation workers, limiting r.b.e. values between 13 and 47 are obtained relative to 60Co gamma-radiation. At higher doses, as used in radiotherapy, the values are much lower; ranging from 2-7 to 8 at 200 rad of equivalent gamma-radiation. Both sets of r.b.e. values correlate well with track-averaged LET but not with dose-averaged LET. When the numbers of cells without aberrations are plotted against radiation dose, curves are obtained which are similar in shape to those for conventional cell-survival experiments with comparable neutron spectra. The Do values obtained in the present study are close to those from other cell system.     

Chromosome aberrations in mouse embryos and fetuses produced by assisted reproductive technology

The occurrence of structural chromosome aberrations in mouse one-cell embryos produced by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with mature spermatozoa was dependent on the type of sperm incubation medium and sperm incubation time. When cauda epididymal spermatozoa were used following incubation in bicarbonate-buffered TYH medium for 0h (no incubation) and 0.5h, the chromosome aberration rates (6.9% and 7.4%, respectively) in the resultant embryos were significantly higher than that (2.3%) in the IVF embryos. However, when the spermatozoa were incubated for 2-2.5h and 6h in the same medium, the chromosome aberration rates were reduced to the IVF embryo level (3.8% and 4.3%, respectively). When spermatozoa incubated in Hepes-buffered H-mCZB and phosphate-buffered PB1 media were used for ICSI, chromosome aberration rates in embryos were significantly high (8.6-28.1%) and increased in a time-dependent manner. On the other hand, when immature testicular spermatozoa were incubated in those three media for 0.5h and 6h, the incidences of resultant embryos with structural chromosome aberrations ranged between 7.4% and 11.7%, and there was no medium- and time-dependent change in these aberration rates. To evaluate transmissible risk of chromosome aberrations to offspring, two- or four-cell embryos derived from cauda epididymal spermatozoa were transferred into the oviducts of pseudopregnant females and chromosomes of live fetuses were examined on gestational day 16. One (2.0%) mosaic fetus was found when spermatozoa were incubated in TYH for 2-2.5h, and there were four (6.7%) fetuses displaying a structurally abnormal karyotype when spermatozoa were incubated in H-mCZB for 2-2.5h, indicating that structural chromosome aberrations generated in ICSI one-cell embryos are transmissible to offspring. The causal mechanism of structural chromosome aberrations in ICSI one-cell embryos is discussed in relation to the acrosomal plasma membrane cholesterol and the acrosome.     

Studies on chromosome aberrations in the eggs of mice fertilized in vitro after irradiation. I. Chromosome aberrations induced in sperm after X-irradiation

The induction of chromosome aberrations in eggs of mice fertilized with X-irradiated sperm was performed by using an in vitro fertilization technique. Capacitated mature sperm was irradiated with various doses of X-rays and cytological analysis of the first cleavage metaphase of in vitro fertilized eggs was made. The frequencies of chromosome aberrations increased exponentially with dose and the dose-response relationship for overall breaks fitted well to a quadratic equation. The chromosome aberrations were mainly chromosome-type (82.1%), and the majority of aberrations were fragments.     

Chromosome aberrations induced in human lymphocytes by radiation from 252Cf.

In vitro dose--response curves of unstable chromosome aberrations in human lymphocytes have been obtained for 252Cf neutron radiation. The aberration yields fitted best to the linear function Y=aD, which is consistent with the single-track model of aberration formation for high LET radiation. The curves have been compared with others previously produced in this laboratory for several energies of neutrons and for 60Co gamma radiation. The r.b.e. for 252Cf with respect to 60Co is 27 at very low doses, decreasing to 6 at an aberration yield equivalent to 400 rad of 18 rad/hour gamma radiation. A profile of chromosome-aberration induction with depth in a perspex phantom was obtained by placing blood samples at several distances over the range 0.65-2.0 cm from the californium source. This profile was compared with depth-damage calculations for a radium needle. The r.b.e. of 252Cf radiation relative to 226Ra gamma radiation increased with the distance from the source, implying that californium is more effective at greater distances in destroying the ability of cells to divide, which may be an advantage in the treatment of large tumours.     

Chromosome aberrations induced in human lymphocytes by in vitro and in vivo X-rays

A dose-effect curve is presented obtained by analysis of dicentric chromosomes and centric ring chromosomes in lymphocyte metaphase spreads of three healthy volunteers after in vitro 100 kV X-ray-irradiation of peripheral blood samples. This calibration curve follows a linear quadratic equation, y=c+alpha D+beta D(2), with the coefficients: y=(0.0005+/-0.0001)+(0.0355+/-0.0066)D+(0.0701+/-0.0072)D(2). The model is based on 13.231 first-division metaphases analyzed after in vitro exposure to doses ranging from 0.1 to 2.0 Gy at a dose rate of 0.4 Gy min(-1). Significant overdispersion of the observed chromosomal aberrations was evident for dose points 1.0 and 2.0 Gy, respectively. The calibration curve was applied to derive equivalent whole body doses of three subjects after suspected extensive exposure to diagnostic X-rays.     

Time dependence of chromosomal aberrations induced in human and monkey lymphocytes by acute and fractionated exposure to 60Co

Changes in the numbers of peripheral lymphocytes with chromosome aberrations were observed in cynomolgus monkeys after fractionated or acute 60Co irradiation at the same total doses. Immediately after irradiation, the yield of dicentrics decreased when the dose was fractionated but remained constant for 20 to 80 days, depending on the dose, when irradiation was acute. Lymphopenia was greater than expected when the dose was fractionated. The kinetics of the loss of chromosome aberrations and the changes in peripheral lymphocyte count occurring in monkeys after acute irradiation were compared to those observed in accidentally irradiated men.     

Chromosome aberrations induced by protons up to 31 MeV in cultured human cells

Summary Chromosome aberrations were induced in cultured human cells by proton beams of 31, 12, and 8 MeV. The frequencies of isocromatid breaks and dicentrics have been analysed as a function of proton energy and dose. Both effects are largely dependent on proton energy; isochromatid breaks increase linearly with the dose, whereas dicentrics show a definite parabolic behaviour. The experimental data were fitted to the analytic formY = KD ⁿ andY = D +D ² and the best fitted values of the parameters are reported and discussed. The values of RBE for the isochromatid breaks are in the ratio 1.7: 1.3: 1 for 8, 12, and 31 MeV respectively.In the case of the dicentrics the RBE values are dose-dependent function of the typeCD ^–n . The three distributions of dicentrics among the cells do not fit a Poisson distribution.Supported by a grant of CNR n^o 790067996 of the Finalized Project Tumour Growth Control201D; Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Italy     

Chromosome aberrations induced by X-ray therapy and myxovirus infection in human peripheral leukocytes

The dose-response relationships and the distribution of breaks induced by irradiation were studied in phytohemagglutinin-stimulated peripheral lymphocytes from female patients treated with X-rays for cancer of the breast. The yield of dicentrics and rings was expressed by the formula y = 0.0086 + 1.53 (± 0.15) · 10⁻⁵ D, and the yield of fragments by y = 0.022 + 1.68 (± 0.17) · 10⁻⁵ D, where D is the accumulated skin dose in rad. The percentage of damaged cells, however, reached a plateau of 22% at about 6000 rad. In all dose ranges, the distribution of cells with various numbers of breaks deviated significantly from a Poisson distribution, which should have been obtained if all cells in the blood had been exposed to irradiation. It was possible to calculate the number of undamaged cells present in excess and, when these were omitted, a close agreement with a Poisson distribution was obtained. The results suggested that almost 30% of the circulating lymphocytes had been exposed to irradiation with the fractionated partial body procedure utilized.

The effect of Newcastle disease, Sendai, measles and mumps virus infection in vitro on peripheral blood lymphocytes from irradiated patients was also studied. Virus treatment caused a decrease in the frequency of chromosome-type damage. No effect, or a slight decrease of chromatid-type damage, was seen as compared with controls treated with normal allantoic fluid.     

Chromosome aberrations induced by pyrolysates of carbohydrates in Chinese hamster V79 cells

The clastogenic activity of some pyrolysates of carbohydrates was examined in cultured Chinese hamster V79 cells. These pyrolysates include levoglucosan (LG-I), levoglucosenone (LG-II), furfural (FF), 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-furfural (HMF), glyoxal (GL), methylglyoxal (MGL), 3-deoxy-D-glucosone (DG) and thiazolidine (TZ). LG-I did not induce a significant number of chromosome aberrations at doses up to 8000 micrograms/ml. In contrast, the related compound LG-II induced aberrations and reduced mitosis in a dose-dependent fashion at around 1/2000 of the LG-I doses. Both furan derivatives, FF and HMF, and both glyoxal derivatives, GL and MGL, induced a significant number of chromosome aberrations and a significant lowering of mitotic activity. Among these compounds, FF and MGL showed stronger clastogenic activity than HMF and GL, respectively. DG slightly but positively induced chromosome aberrations. TZ was one of the most potent clastogens among the compounds examined in this study, showing the highest incidence of aberrant cells with many exchanges at doses inducing a significant lowering of mitotic activity. The results of this study indicate the need for a re-evaluation of the thermal decomposition of carbohydrates as a source of genotoxic contaminants.     

Chromosome aberrations induced by high-LET carbon ions in radiosensitive and radioresistant tumour cells

Chromosome aberration formation was analysed in two human tumour cell lines displaying different radiosensitivity. Aberrations involving chromosomes 2, 4, and 5 were studied in one radioresistant cell line (WiDr) and in one radiosensitive cell line (MCF-7). Chromosome aberrations were studied by application of single-colour FISH. We studied the effects of monoenergetic 100 MeV/u carbon ions and carbon ions from extended Bragg peak. Chromosome aberrations induced by carbon ions were compared with aberrations induced by standard 200 kV X-rays. In both tumour cell lines, carbon ions induced aberrations more effectively than X-rays. The radioresistance and radiosensitivity of the corresponding cell lines, as observed for X-rays, were also found after carbon ion irradiation. In both cell lines, the typical effects of ion irradiation were an increased proportion of cells containing complex aberrations, and an increased complexity of these complex exchanges. However, comparable effects were induced in MCF-7 cells by a much lower dose than in WiDr cells. Insertions were also induced more efficiently in MCF-7 cells than in WiDr cells.