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Increased apoptosis and DNA double-strand breaks in the embryonic mouse brain in response to very low-dose X-rays but not 50 Hz magnetic fields

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posted on 2023-06-08, 19:10 authored by Shreya Saha, Lisa Woodbine, Jacqueline Haines, Margaret Coster, Nicole Ricket, Lara Barazzuol, Elizabeth Ainsbury, Zenon Sienkiewicz, Penny Jeggo
The use of X-rays for medical diagnosis is enhancing exposure to low radiation doses. Exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic or magnetic fields is also increasing. Epidemiological studies show consistent associations of childhood leukaemia with exposure to magnetic fields but any causal relationship is unclear. A limitation in assessing the consequence of such exposure is the availability of sensitive assays. The embryonic neuronal stem and progenitor cell compartments are radiosensitive tissues. Using sensitive assays, we report a statistically significant increase in DNA double-strand break (DSB) formation and apoptosis in the embryonic neuronal stem cell compartment following in utero exposure to 10–200 mGy X-rays. Both endpoints show a linear response. We also show that DSB repair is delayed following exposure to doses below 50 mGy compared with 100 mGy. Thus, we demonstrate in vivo consequences of low-dose radiation. In contrast to these impacts, we did not observe any significant induction of DSBs or apoptosis following exposure to 50 Hz magnetic fields (100 or 300 µT). We conclude that any DSB induction by treatment with magnetic fields is lower than following exposure to 10 mGy X-rays. For comparison, certain procedures involving computed tomography scanning are equivalent to 1–5 mGy X-rays.

Funding

DNA damage responses in mammalian cells and their contribution to human health disorders; the end-stage; G0217; MRC-MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL; G1000050

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Journal of the Royal Society Interface

ISSN

1742-5689

Publisher

Royal Society

Issue

100

Volume

11

Page range

20140783-20140783

Department affiliated with

  • Sussex Centre for Genome Damage Stability Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2014-12-04

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2014-12-04

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2014-12-04

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