The Oxygen Effect Based on Chromosome Damage in HeLa Cells

Abstract

HeLa cells in suspension were aerated with either oxygen or nitrogen while being irradiated with varying doses of 280 kVp x-rays. The cells were examined during the first mitosis after irradiation for types and frequencies of chromosome aberrations. Analysis of the single-hit and multi-hit chromosome aberrations resulted in oxygen-enhancement ratios of 1·32 and 2·93, respectively. Analysis of the total cytogenetic damage resulted in the following dose-response relationships: The oxygen-enhancement ratio based on these relationships was 1·81. These studies indicated that HeLa cell chromosomes have a similar radiosensitivity, but a higher spontaneous aberration frequency than that reported for normal mammalian cells.