Chromosome aberration analysis in peripheral lymphocytes of Gulf and Balkans war veterans H.Schröder, A.Heimers, R.Frentzel-Beyme, A.Schott and W.Hoffmann Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 103: (2003)

Human T-lymphocyte metaphase Karyotype 46, XY

Chromosome- type aberrations distinguishable cytologically at mitosis Two normal chromosomes dicentric chromosome and acentric fragment centric ring chromosome and acentric fragment

Aberrant metaphase Metaphase with two dicentric chromosomes and two acentric fragments

Exclusion criteria Previous radiotherapy and/or medical use of cytotoxic drugs Greater than average exposure to diagnostic medical radiation Heavy smokers (more than 20 Cigarettes a day over more than 10 years) Previous work in the nuclear industry or other badgemonitored occupation

2nd division metaphase with sister chromatid exchanges (SCE)

Results of the chromosome aberration analysis

Result of the chromosome aberration analysis after grouping Group Number of cells analysed Number of dic + cR Mean95%CI-95%CI+ Gulf, subjects (N=16) ,0025 0,00180,0034 Balkans (N=2) ,0020 0,00050,0051 Gulf and Balkans (N=1) ,0030 0,00060,0088

Distribution of the observed dicentric chromosomes and centric ring chromosomes

Very rare findings Multicentric ring chromosome in a tetraploid metaphase, most probably consting of 4 chromosomes One metaphase with pulverized chromosomal material

Results, summary Method of chromosome aberration analysis is both sensitive and specific 5-fold elevation of dic and cR compared to the control (2.5 per 1000 M vs 0.5 per 1000 M) elevation is highly significant significant elevation of dic and cR also in 9 of the 19 individual cases distribution of dic and cR deviates from Poisson very rare finding of a multi-cR in a tetraploid metaphase and pvz chromosome material biological half life of dic is 3.5 years, contradicts to an acute radiation event

Results of the SCE-Assay