Micronucleated erythrocytes frequency and radiocesium bioconcentration in pikes (Esox lucius) caught in the Tom River near the nuclear facilities of the Siberian Chemical Complex (Tomsk-7)

Micronuclei in Fish Erythrocytes as Genotoxic Biomarkers of Water Pollution: An Overview

Freshwater and marine water bodies receive chemical contaminants from industrial, agricultural, urban, and domestic wastes. Eco-genotoxicity assays are useful tools to assess the cumulative genotoxicity of these pollutants. Fish are suitable indicators for biomonitoring of mutagenic and carcinogenic pollution.In this review, we present a complete overview of the studies performed so far using the micronucleus test in peripheral erythrocytes of fish exposed to polluted water. We have listed all the species of fish used and the geographical distribution of the investigations. We have analyzed and discussed all technical aspects of using this test in fish, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the different experimental protocols. We have reported the results of all studies. This assay has become, for years, one of the simplest, fastest, and most cost-effective for assessing genotoxic risk in aquatic environments. However, there are still several factors influencing the variability of the results. Therefore, we have given indications and suggestions to achieve a standardization of experimental procedures and ensure uniformity of future investigations.

Radioactively contaminated areas: Bioindicator species and biomarkers of effect in an early warning scheme for a preliminary risk assessment

Concerns about the impacts on public health and on the natural environment have been raised regarding the full range of operational activities related to uranium mining and the rest of the nuclear fuel cycle (including nuclear accidents), nuclear tests and depleted uranium from military ammunitions. However, the environmental impacts of such activities, as well as their ecotoxicological/toxicological profile, are still poorly studied. Herein, it is discussed if organisms can be used as bioindicators of human health effects, posed by lifetime exposure to radioactively contaminated areas. To do so, information was gathered from several studies performed on vertebrates, invertebrate species and humans, living in these contaminated areas. The retrieved information was compared, to determine which are the most used bioindicators and biomarkers and also the similarities between human and non-human biota responses. The data evaluated are used to support the proposal for an early warning scheme, based on bioindicator species and on the most sensitive and commonly shared biomarkers, to perform a screening evaluation of radioactively contaminated sites. This scheme could be used to support decision-making for a deeper evaluation of risks to human health, making it possible to screen a large number of areas, without disturbing and alarming local populations.

Nucleoplasmic bridges and tailed nuclei are signatures of radiation exposure in Oreochromis mossambicus using erythrocyte micronucleus cytome assay (EMNCA)

Gamma radiation-induced genetic perturbations in aquatic vertebrates is largely unknown at low-dose rate, especially in the wake of a nuclear disaster and/or other environmental outbreaks. Freshwater fish, Oreochromis mossambicus subjected to low-dose rate (2 mGy/min) at 2.5-, 5-, and 10-Gy doses, were analyzed for "exposure signatures" in blood samples drawn on days 3, 6, 12, 18, and 30, respectively. Significant dose-dependent increments in micronuclei frequency and other anomalies such as nucleoplasmic bridges and tailed nuclei were observed and exhibit a strong positive correlation, suggesting that they could be used as prospective signatures of radiation exposure. Similarly increased incidence of apoptosis and DNA repair machinery circuits at high and low doses were noted. This work highlighted "cytogenetic signatures" in fish and the sensitivity of these endpoints toward low-dose rate of radiation exposure.

Gamma radiation induced micronuclei and erythrocyte cellular abnormalities in the fish Catla catla

Ionizing radiation induced DNA damage in fishes is a scarcely studied topic and very few studies are available in fishes exposed to ionizing radiation using the erythrocyte micronucleus assay under laboratory conditions. Since radionuclides released accidentally or during a nuclear disaster can contaminate inland water bodies, biomonitoring methods are required for assessing the impacts of high and low levels of radiation that may ultimately result in ionizing radiation exposure to both humans and non-human biota. Fresh water fish, Catla catla were subjected to protracted (0.002 Gy/min) and acute (3.2 Gy/min) gamma radiation to a total dose of 5 Gy. Peripheral blood samples were collected at different intervals (days 3, 6, 12, 18, 30, 45, 90, 135, 202) and analyzed by the erythrocyte micronucleus assay. Nuclear anomalies observed were micronuclei (MN), deformed nuclei (DN), nuclear bud (NBu), nuclear bridge (NBr), vacuolated nucleus (VN), binucleated cell (BNC), apoptotic cells (AC) while cytoplasmic abnormalities detected were vacuolated cytoplasm (VC), anisochromasia (AN), echinocytes (EC) and enucleus (EN). Both exposures caused a statistically significant increase in nuclear and cytoplasmic abnormalities that correlated with micronucleus and other nuclear anomalies. However, the extent of damage is higher after an acute exposure lasting for a longer period leading to apoptosis. Nuclear and cytoplasmic abnormalities are the resultants of gamma radiation induced genotoxicity and cytotoxicity.

Biodosimetry using radiation-induced micronuclei in skin fibroblasts

PURPOSE

We assessed micronuclei in dermal fibroblasts as a local biodosimeter for estimating accidental in vivo radiation exposure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Male and female C3H/HeJ and C57Bl6 mice of four age groups (∼11, 36, 60 and 99 weeks) received a single whole body dose of gamma radiation (0-10 Gy) and radiation-induced micronuclei per 1,000 binucleated cells were assessed in skin fibroblasts in their first division after isolation from biopsies taken on days 1 and 7 post irradiation. The method of generalized estimating equations was used for statistical analyses.

RESULTS

Total micronuclei were increased on day 1 in a dose-dependent manner in the range of 1-10 Gy, with no significant attenuation of response between day 1 and day 7 and no significant effect of gender. Between-strain differences were observed with C3H/HeJ mice showing lower background micronuclei and a slightly steeper dose response. Age affected only the background micronuclei (moderate increase with age). The model demonstrated that the assay yields 'unbiased' prediction of the dose between 0 and 7 Gy. Within this dose range, the predicted dose was found to be accurate within ±1.5-2 Gy. When the specificity is set to 95%, the assay can distinguish between unexposed and 2 Gy exposed mice with a sensitivity of around 60%. The sensitivity approached 100% when discriminating between unexposed mice and mice receiving doses equal to or greater than 4 Gy. The percentage of binucleated cells with micronuclei was shown to be useful as a simpler and slightly faster substitute for the total micronuclei count.

CONCLUSION

Micronuclei in dermal fibroblasts isolated up to 1 week after irradiation can be a useful biodosimeter for local dose after accidental radiation exposure.