Comparative study of the amount of DNA single-strand breaks and alkali-labile sites in human peripheral blood lymphocytes exposed to 365 nm UV versus X-ray radiation

Aim: to compare the amount of DNA single-strand breaks (SSB) and alkali-labile sites (ALS) induced by DNA 365 nm ultraviolet (UV) versus X-rays radiation in human peripheral blood lymphocytes at in vitro conditions. Material and methods. Blood lymphocytes were isolated in a Ficoll-verografin density gradient. Irradiation of cells was performed using BLX-365 UV-unit (wavelength 365 ± 10nm)and RUSTM1 biological X-ray unit. Analysis of DNA SSB and ALS was carried out using comet assay at alkaline conditions. Results. For the first time it was demonstrated that the amount of SSB and ALS induced by 365 nm UV radiation at a dose of 10 kJ/m2 in human lymphocytes corresponds to the effect of X-rays at a dose of- 1 Gy. Conclusion. Exposure of human peripheral blood lymphocytes to 365 nm UV radiation at a dose of 1 kJ/m2 induces - 100 DNA SSB per cell.