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6751436 
Journal Article 
Radiation-induced changes in DNA methylation and their relationship to chromosome aberrations in nuclear power plant workers 
Lee, Y; Kim, YJ; Choi, YJ; Lee, JW; Lee, S; Cho, YH; Chung, HW 
2015 
Yes 
International Journal of Radiation Biology
ISSN: 0955-3002
EISSN: 1362-3095 
91 
2 
142-149 
English 
25264146 
WOS:000349666800002 
PURPOSE: We investigated the association between occupational radiation exposure and DNA methylation changes in nuclear power plant workers. We also evaluated whether radiation- induced DNA methylation alterations are associated with chromosome aberrations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population included 170 radiation-exposed workers and 30 controls. We measured global, long interspersed nuclear element-1 (LINE-1), and satellite 2 methylation levels in blood leukocyte DNA. The analysis of chromosome aberrations was performed on peripheral lymphocytes.

RESULTS: Global DNA methylation levels were lower in radiation-exposed workers than in controls. The methylation levels were negatively associated with the recent 1.5-year radiation dose in a multiple linear regression model (β = - 0.0088, p ≤ 0.001); the levels increased proportionally with the total cumulative dose in radiation-exposed workers. LINE-1 methylation levels were higher in radiation-exposed workers than in controls and were significantly associated with the total cumulative radiation dose in a multiple linear regression model (β = - 0.031, p = 0.035). Global DNA methylation levels were also correlated with chromosome aberrations among workers. Workers with low global methylation levels had a higher frequency of chromosome aberrations than did subjects with high global methylation levels.

CONCLUSION: Occupational exposure to low-dose radiation could affect DNA methylation levels, and the radiation-induced DNA methylation alterations may be associated with chromosome aberrations.