Ionizing Radiation and Redox Balance in Diagnostic Radiology Personnel

Abstract

Aim: Determine the influence of ionizing radiation on the redox balance of health personnel. Introduction: Ionizing radiation has carcinogenic, genetic and immunological effects, among others. Exposure to low radiation doses has been reported to increase the damage induced by high dose exposures. Although it has been used in the therapy of various disorders, its mechanism damages cellular DNA and membrane. Study Design:  Transversal, comparative, descriptive. Place and Duration of Study: It is a study based in the community in Radiology Centers, Public and Private, that did accepted to participate, between January 2015 and November 2015. Methodology: A total of 60 individuals, divided into 2 groups (n = 30), exposed and not exposed to ionizing radiation, all belonging to diagnostic radiology team, have participated in this research study. Blood was drawn, blood plasma was separated for determine the Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and the ratio of reduced glutathione to oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG). Results: No statistically significant differences were found when comparing both groups in any of the two biochemical determinations. Discussion: Perhaps the influence of environmental conditions, nutrition and other aspects not considered in this study may provide guidelines to clarify the factors underlying the effect of ionizing radiation on the redox balance in diagnostic radiology personnel. Conclusions: This study, showed that ionizing radiation did not intervene in the redox balance in diagnostic radiology personnel. Enzymatic dynamics studies are required to determine the effect of ionizing radiation on the activity of each of the enzymes involved in the response to oxidative stress.