Efficiency of a Cf-252 source in normal or in B-10 enriched lymphocytes evaluated by SCGE assay, classical cytogenetics and FISH technique

Biological effectiveness of a californium-252 source was evaluated after ir radiations in vitro of normal or pretreated cells with compound enriched in the B-10 ion ((Na2B12H11SH)-B-10 also known as BSH) in order to check the possibility of any enhancement effect due to the process of boron neutron c apture. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were used as a model for human cells. Human blood samples or isolated lymphocytes were irradiated with the isotop ic source of Cf-252, at the Faculty of Physics and Nuclear Techniques at th e University of Mining and Metallurgy, Krakow (both the neutron source and the samples were placed in an "infinite" polyethylene block). DNA and chrom osomal damage were studied to compare the biological effectiveness of irrad iation. Single cell gel electrophoresis also known as the Comet assay was d one to investigate the DNA damage. Classical cytogenetic analysis was appli ed to assess the frequencies of unstable aberrations (dicentrics, rings and acentric fragments). To evaluate the frequencies of stable aberrations the fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) with probes for chromosomes 1, 4 (14.3% of the whole genome) was performed. Linear (or close to linear) inc reases with radiation doses were observed for the DNA damage and aberration frequencies in lymphocytes both untreated or pretreated with BSH. Levels o f translocations evaluated for the whole genome were comparable with the fr equencies of dicentrics and rings. No significant differences were detected due to radiation dose in the frequencies of sister chromatid exchanges (SC E) detected in the second mitosis. Statistically no significant differences were observed in various biological end-points between normal or boron pre -treated cells.