Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been used in clinics since several decades and is generally considered as safe technology. However, very little attention has been given to assess the 'potential' impact of such exposure on the DNA/genetic material in human cells despite the well-documented evidence that excess damage in DNA in somatic cells correlates with carcinogenesis while such damage in germ cells can lead to mutations, which can be transmitted to future generations. The combined effect of static and gradient magnetic fields and, pulsed radiofrequency fields (RF), as used in MRI, on the DNA in human cells is getting attention only since 2007. The observations thus far reported were controversial1-6: they were critically reviewed and several gaps in knowledge were discussed.7 In recent months, there were three other publications evaluating double-strand breaks (DSB) in the DNA using both fluorescence microscopy and/or flow cytometric analyses of gamma-H2AX in human blood cells exposed to MRI. The results reported in two papers indicated no significant effect in MRI-exposed cells.8, 9 In the third paper by Lancellotti et al10, the authors collected blood samples from healthy subjects before and at 1, 2 hours (n=20), 2 days (n=19), 1 month (n=15) and 1 year (n=12) after cardiac MR (CMR). There was a significant increase in gamma-H2AX intensity only in NK (CD56mid) cells at 2 hours and in total T lymphocytes (CD3+), CD4+Th cells, NKT and NK cells after 2 days. The gamma-H2AX intensity increased further in total T lymphocytes (CD3+) at 1 month and then, returned to basal levels 1 year after CMR. The authors mentioned the limitations in the study such as the absence of concurrent controls and blind evaluation but, cautioned the repetition of CMR within a month. This paper adds information to the sparse literature. Nevertheless, we want to point out a few concerns regarding the methodology in the study by Lancellotti et al10 (points 1-3) and discuss a few recommendations to verify and extend their findings (points 4-8) before conclusions are drawn
Letter by Vijayalaxmi et al Regarding Article, "Biological Effects of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance on Human Blood Cells" by Lancellotti et al.
Maria Rosaria Scarfi;
2015
Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been used in clinics since several decades and is generally considered as safe technology. However, very little attention has been given to assess the 'potential' impact of such exposure on the DNA/genetic material in human cells despite the well-documented evidence that excess damage in DNA in somatic cells correlates with carcinogenesis while such damage in germ cells can lead to mutations, which can be transmitted to future generations. The combined effect of static and gradient magnetic fields and, pulsed radiofrequency fields (RF), as used in MRI, on the DNA in human cells is getting attention only since 2007. The observations thus far reported were controversial1-6: they were critically reviewed and several gaps in knowledge were discussed.7 In recent months, there were three other publications evaluating double-strand breaks (DSB) in the DNA using both fluorescence microscopy and/or flow cytometric analyses of gamma-H2AX in human blood cells exposed to MRI. The results reported in two papers indicated no significant effect in MRI-exposed cells.8, 9 In the third paper by Lancellotti et al10, the authors collected blood samples from healthy subjects before and at 1, 2 hours (n=20), 2 days (n=19), 1 month (n=15) and 1 year (n=12) after cardiac MR (CMR). There was a significant increase in gamma-H2AX intensity only in NK (CD56mid) cells at 2 hours and in total T lymphocytes (CD3+), CD4+Th cells, NKT and NK cells after 2 days. The gamma-H2AX intensity increased further in total T lymphocytes (CD3+) at 1 month and then, returned to basal levels 1 year after CMR. The authors mentioned the limitations in the study such as the absence of concurrent controls and blind evaluation but, cautioned the repetition of CMR within a month. This paper adds information to the sparse literature. Nevertheless, we want to point out a few concerns regarding the methodology in the study by Lancellotti et al10 (points 1-3) and discuss a few recommendations to verify and extend their findings (points 4-8) before conclusions are drawnI documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
