Induction of DNA damage, apoptosis and micronuclei in peripheral blood lymphocytes following injection of contrast media in patients with abdominal CT scan

Background: Medical diagnos c procedures such as X-ray and computed Tomography (CT) scan account for considerable percent of pa ent's exposure to ionizing radia on. The exposure of cells to Ioniza on radia on results in induc on of DNA damage and chromosomal aberra ons. Contrast media (CM) are widely used in diagnos c radiology and CT scan. The aim of this study was to study adverse gene c effects of combined administra on of non ionic contrast media and low dose X-rays in peripheral blood Lymphocytes of pa ents following abdominal CT scan. Materials and Methods: A total of 55 pa ents underwent abdominal CT scan with injec on of non ionic contrast media (30 pa ents with omnipaque 300 mg/ml and 25 pa ents with visipaque 270 mg/ml) as well as 13 pa ents undergoing abdominal CT scan (without contrast), selected as control group, were enrolled in this study. Peripheral blood leukocytes were obtained in heparin containing tubes and cultured for the micronucleus test, or were directly used for apoptosis and DNA damage with the neutral comet assay. Results: The frequency of micronuclei, apoptosis and percentage of DNA damage was increased in most pa ents a5er the injec on of contrast media, significantly different from the control group as compared with the samples obtained before and a5er injec on of contrast media (P<0.05). Conclusion: The present study suggest that non ionic contrast media (omnipaque 300 mg/ml and visipaque 270 mg/ ml) may cause a significant increase of cytogene c damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes. This effect might be caused by the enhancement of radia on dose by CM that eventually may lead to the manifesta on of ill health such as cancer.