Micronucleus evaluation in mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes of narrow-band (311 nm TL01) UVB-treated patients

• Published in: Photodermatology, photoimmunology & photomedicine photoimmunology & photomedicine, 2004-04, Vol.20 (2), p.81-85
• Main Authors: Ferahbas, Ayten, Donmez-Altuntas, Hamiyet, Hamurcu, Zuhal, Aktas, Ekrem, Utas, Serap
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Dermatology; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; Female; Humans; Linear Models; Lymphocytes - radiation effects; Male; Medical sciences; micronucleus; Micronucleus Tests; Middle Aged; narrow-band UVB; Skin Diseases - radiotherapy; Statistics, Nonparametric; Ultraviolet Therapy - adverse effects
• ISSN: 0905-4383; 1600-0781
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0781.2004.00086.x

Background: Narrow‐band UVB (311 nm) lamps (TL01) are being increasingly used for phototherapy of psoriasis and other dermatoses, for their excellent effect compared with broad‐band UVB sources and photochemotherapy. It is acknowledged that the TL01 lamp is probably two to three times more carcinogenic per minimum erythema dose than broad‐band UVB, but the cumulative dose is considerably less than broadband UVB sources. Micronucleus (MN) test is used to detect both clastogenic (breaking) and aneugenic (abnormal segregation) effect of physical/chemical agents on chromosomes. The aim of this study is to evaluate MN frequencies in mitogen‐stimulated lymphocytes of narrow‐band UVB‐treated patients. Methods: Frequency of micronuclei in 72 h cultivated/mitogen‐stimulated lymphocytes of 36 patients (age 7–73 years, mean±SD: 25.33±18.54) have been evaluated at pretreatment and after 20, 40, 60 sessions of narrowband UVB treatment. Results: While the beginning MN frequency ±SD (%) was 1.07±0.63, it increased to 1.47±0.92, 1.47± 0.77, 1.41±0.31 corresponding, respectively, to 20, 40, 60 sessions. These sessions reciprocally correspond to 0.85±0.23, 2.97±0.72, 5.68±1.46 J/cm2 doses of narrow‐band UVB. Difference of MN frequency was statistically significant (P=0.002). Significant differences have been observed between the initial MN frequency and after that of 20, 40, 60 sessions (P=0.001, 0.004, 0.002, respectively). Conclusion: The results of this study show that narrow‐band UVB treatment causes a detectable chromosome damaging effect.