Radiation-induced chromosome aberrations in human peripheral lymphocytes. Exposure to X-rays or protons.

A quantitative analysis was carried out of structural chromosome aberrations in human perpheral lymphocytes exposed in vitro to 180 kV X-rays or 50 MeV protons. Statistical treatment of experimental findings by least-squares technique showed a regressional relationship between dose administered and yields of various chromosome aberration types. Fitting of the data to four mathematical models indicated, for both radiation types, that two-break aberrations, total number of aberrations and total of breaks are best fitted by the polinomial of second degree Y equals bD + CD-2, while one-break aberrations and number of aberrant cells are best fitted by the model Y equals a + bD. For all chromosome aberration types numerical values of the coefficients in these models are presented.