Evaluation of low-dose neutron impact on irradiated CHO cells

Abstract

Neutron interaction with biological tissues causes cell structural and functional changes that may lead to the death of cancerous cells but also may initiate radiation induced cancer due to the damages of healthy ones. Since neutron therapy is one of the cancer treatment methods it is important to investigate low dose radiation impact on healthy cells present in the irradiation field. The work was conducted in order to develop an appropriate methodology to estimate cell viability changes after their irradiation to neutrons. Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO) were used for the experiments. Cells have been irradiated to 138 mSv, 246 mSv and 328mSv neutron doses in isotope based neutron generator at the Center for Physical Sciences and Technology (FTMC) Clonogenic assay was used to determine the viability of cells after irradiation. Since irradiation was performed in another city, the influence of transportation on the viability of cells was also evaluated. Results of investigation of neutron irradiated cells are discussed and cell evaluation methodology is provided in this article.