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The cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus assay: dose–response calibration curve, background frequency in the population and dose estimation

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Abstract

An in vitro study of the dose responses of human peripheral blood lymphocytes was conducted with the aim of creating calibrated dose–response curves for biodosimetry measuring up to 4 Gy (0.25–4 Gy) of gamma radiation. The cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus (CBMN) assay was employed to obtain the frequencies of micronuclei (MN) per binucleated cell in blood samples from 16 healthy donors (eight males and eight females) in two age ranges of 20–34 and 35–50 years. The data were used to construct the calibration curves for men and women in two age groups, separately. An increase in micronuclei yield with the dose in a linear–quadratic way was observed in all groups. To verify the applicability of the constructed calibration curve, MN yields were measured in peripheral blood lymphocytes of two real overexposed subjects and three irradiated samples with unknown dose, and the results were compared with dose values obtained from measuring dicentric chromosomes. The comparison of the results obtained by the two techniques indicated a good agreement between dose estimates. The average baseline frequency of MN for the 130 healthy non-exposed donors (77 men and 55 women, 20–60 years old divided into four age groups) ranged from 6 to 21 micronuclei per 1000 binucleated cells. Baseline MN frequencies were higher for women and for the older age group. The results presented in this study point out that the CBMN assay is a reliable, easier and valuable alternative method for biological dosimetry.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the volunteers who donated blood samples for this study. The authors also gratefully acknowledge Mr. N. Rastkhah for intellectual and organizational support and thank Mr. M. J. Ahmadpour for his technical assistance.

Author contributions

Dr. F. Zakeri designed the study, conducted all experimental work and prepared the manuscript. Drs. Ghoranneviss, Bayat and Mianji provided scientific and technical consultation. Miss Rastkhah and Mr. Farshidpour performed the experimental work and generated data, and Mr. Rajabpour analyzed the data and prepared draft figures and tables. All authors approved the final manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Islamic Azad University, Science Research Branch, Tehran, Iran

    E. Rastkhah, M. Ghoranneviss & M. Bayat

  2. Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, Tehran, Iran

    F. Zakeri & F. Mianji

  3. Iran Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Tehran, Iran

    F. Zakeri, M. R. Rajabpour, M. R. Farshidpour & F. Mianji

Authors
  1. E. Rastkhah
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  2. F. Zakeri
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  3. M. Ghoranneviss
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  4. M. R. Rajabpour
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  5. M. R. Farshidpour
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  6. F. Mianji
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  7. M. Bayat
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Correspondence to F. Zakeri.

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Rastkhah, E., Zakeri, F., Ghoranneviss, M. et al. The cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus assay: dose–response calibration curve, background frequency in the population and dose estimation. Radiat Environ Biophys 55, 41–51 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00411-015-0624-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00411-015-0624-3

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