[Genotoxic and cytotoxic effects in buccal cells of children living in ecologically different Kuzbass areas].

The article presents the results of the study of micronuclei and other types of cytogenetic aberrations in mucous tunic epithelium cells from children living in two different parts of the Kemerovo region (Tashtagol city, above-standard radon concentration exposition, n = 80), and Krasnoye settlement Leninsk-Kuznetsk area (comparison group, n = 41). The samples studied did not differ in the frequency of micronuclei containing cells. Tashtagol children sample showed significant increase in the number of binuclear cells, buccal epithelial cells with nuclear protrusions and with nuclear vacuoles, pyknotic cells, and apoptosis bodies. Reliable increase in average number of cells with chromatin condensation and kayolysis was found in the comparison group. It has been shown that the frequency of metaphase chromosome aberrations registered in peripheral blood lymphocytes corresponds to the amount of nuclear aberrations detected in buccal epithelium cells using micronuclei test.