Peripheral blood lymphocytes and selected serum interleukins in workers operating X-ray equipment

The objective of these studies was to determine the effect of low X-ray doses on peripheral blood lymphocytes in the workers operating X-ray equipment. In 30 workers and 18 persons who constituted the control group the absolute number of peripheral blood lymphocytes, the number of T CD4+ and T CD8+ lymphocytes, the ratio CD4+/CD8+ and the concentration of serum interleukins (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6) were tested. Subgroups with respect to sex and employment period were selected. A significant increase in IL-2 concentration in workers as compared to controls was observed and significantly decreased IL-4 level in operating X-ray equipment was revealed. The lowest levels of IL-4 were noted in the women subgroup. A high positive, statistically significant correlations between the number of lymphocytes and the concentration of IL-2 and the level of IL-4 were observed. Moreover, our studies revealed that lymphocyte number and interleukin concentrations in serum of X-ray operators do not depend on the assumed ranges of the length of employment period.