Les nouveaux bio-indicateurs pour évaluer et suivre les dommages radio-induits : A propos d'un cas accidentel

Titre de la revue : Radiation Research Volume : 169 N° : 5 Pagination : 543-550 Date de publication : 01/05/2008

Purpose: To evaluate damages to the main physiological systems in a victim exposed accidentally to 4.5 Gy by the mean of several new biological indicators. Methods: Blood samples were used for biological dosimetry and for measurement of plasma concentration of several molecules: Flt3 ligand for evaluation of the hematopoietic system, citrulline as an indicator of the digestive tract and several oxysterols as markers of lipid metabolism and vascular system. Results: Cytogenetic evaluation estimated the dose received by the victim from 4.2 to 4.8 Gy, according to the methodology used. The follow-up of Flt3 ligand demonstrated the severity of bone marrow aplasia. By contrast, citrulline concentration showed the absence of gastro-intestinal damage. Variations in oxysterols concentrations suggested a radiation-induced damage to the liver and to the cardiovascular system. These results were correlated to biochemical markers classically used. Conclusion: Variations in these bio-indicators demonstrated the severe damage to the hematopoietic system, but also suggested the appearance of sub-clinical damages to the liver and the cardio-vascular system. These results demonstrate for the first time the importance of a multi-parametric approach in the evaluation of radiation damage after an accidental irradiation.