Oral Mucosal Micronuclei: A Predictive Factor of Genomic Damage in Individuals Exposed to Ionizing Radiation Publisher



Labbafinejad Y ; Mahdavi N ; Babheidarian P ; Artin Z ; Kassiri N
Source: International Journal of Cancer Management Published:2025

Abstract

Background: Occupational exposure to ionizing radiation (IR) has the potential to lead to adverse health effects, including cancer and genetic damage. Micronuclei (MN) in oral exfoliated epithelial cells serve as a dependable and noninvasive tool for the early detection of genetic damage. Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the frequency of MN in oral exfoliated epithelial cells as an indicator of genomic damage among healthcare workers exposed to IR. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, oral epithelial cells were collected from 70 employees of one hospital. Individuals were divided into two groups based on their chronic exposure history to IR: Exposed and non-exposed (35 individuals in each group). Initially, demographic and occupational information was collected through a questionnaire. Micronuclei frequency was compared between the two groups based on age, gender, smoking history, alcohol consumption history, mouthwash use history, hospital ward, and work history using SPSS software. Results: The exposed and non-exposed groups were similar in terms of age, gender, smoking history, alcohol consumption history, and mouthwash use history, with no significant differences. In this study, MN frequency in the exposed group (10.97 ± 8.2) was significantly higher than in the non-exposed group (4.02 ± 3.6) (P < 0.05). Micronuclei frequency was approximately 2.7-fold higher in the exposed group (10.97 vs. 4.02, P < 0.05). Conclusions: Our study has demonstrated that assessing MN in oral epithelial cells can serve as a simple screening method for early detection of genomic damage. Healthcare professionals, who routinely handle IR, should adhere strictly to radioprotection protocols and radiation safety guidelines, utilizing all available protective equipment. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.