Chronic low-dose gamma-radiation exposure and the alteration of the distribution of lymphocyte subpopulations in residents of radioactive buildings

• Published in: International journal of radiation biology Vol. 75; no. 10; pp. 1231 - 1239
• Main Authors: CHANG, W. P, HWANG, J. S, HUNG, M. C, HU, T. H, LEE, S. D, HWANG, B. F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Informa UK Ltd 1999; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Case-Control Studies; CD3 Complex - metabolism; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - radiation effects; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - radiation effects; Cell physiology; Child; Child, Preschool; Cobalt Radioisotopes - adverse effects; Construction Materials - adverse effects; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; Effects of physical and chemical agents; Environmental Exposure; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gamma Rays - adverse effects; HLA-DR Antigens - metabolism; Housing; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Lymphocyte Count; Lymphocyte Subsets - immunology; Lymphocyte Subsets - radiation effects; Male; Middle Aged; Molecular and cellular biology; Risk Assessment; Taiwan; Time Factors; Human; Gamma radiation; Low dose; Radioactive contamination; Dosimetry; Biological effect; Risk analysis; Housing; Lymphocyte; Public health; Age; Immune system
• ISSN: 0955-3002; 1362-3095
• DOI: 10.1080/095530099139386

Purpose : To elucidate the immunological change incurred in a human population by protracted gamma-radiation exposure at home environment. Materials and methods : An examination on the CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ and HLA-DR+ lymphocyte subsets was arranged for 196 exposed subjects with mean excess cumulative dose of 169mSv during 2-13 years of exposure. Another 55 close relatives of the exposed subjects were recruited as the non-exposed reference population. Results : The mean percentages of CD4+ T-lymphocytes, HLA-DR+ lymphocytes and the CD4+/CD8+ ratios in the exposed subjects (35.5, 19.9 and 1.51 respectively) were significantly lower than those of reference individuals (38.0, 22.6 and 1.72; p 0.02, 0.003, and 0.03 respectively), while the CD8 in total counts of the exposed was moderately increased above that of the reference populations (p=0.1). By ANOVA analysis, the percentages of CD4+ and HLA-DR+ subsets were significantly associated with radiation dose (p =0.0046, 0.003), while CD4+/CD8+ ratios were moderately associated with dose (p=0.073). HLA-DR+ counts were significantly and positively associated with duration of relocation from radioactive apartments (p=0.029). Conclusions : Significant immunological effects were observed in those who had received chronic low-dose radiation exposure.