International Journal Of Cardiology, vol.5, no.2, pp.104-108, 2018 (SCI-Expanded)
Ionizing radiation (IR) induced damage of the immune system, and exposure to IR induces subgroups of T-lymphocytes
and different cell groups of immune system give different responses in individuals exposed to long-term IR. The aim of
this study was to investigate the effect of exposure to low levels of IR and iodinated contrast media in cellular immunity of
patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) exposed to coronary angiographic imaging. A group of 47 patients with CVD
exposed to X-rays (IR) and iodinated contrast media (30 males, 20 females) were subjected to investigating the level of early
T-cell marker (CD3), T-helper (CD4) and T suppressor (CD8) of the T-Iymphocyte subgroups. Peripheral blood samples
collected before and after angiographic imaging into tubes containing EDTA were investigated for lymphocyte subsets
using flow cytometry in Turkey. The age range was 38-75 years (54.31 ± 9.09). The ratio of CD4/CD8 was between 1.525-
1.833. The rates of CD4 and CD8 was significantly difference before and after angiographic imaging (p= 0.000 to 0.001),
as the value of CD4 increases, CD8 decreases with it. There was no statistically significant difference in the percentages
and absolute value of lymphocyte subsets between the genders (p>0.05). The present date demonstrated that exposure to
low dose IR contrast and medium induce switch of the immune system to CD4 and CD8 immune response. Short-term
exposure to X-rays is temporarily stimulate cellular immune functions, and have high immune function and the risk, and
increase cellular immune function. At the same time, it may possibly cause damage to the vascular endothelium of patients.
Keywords: Cardiovascular Disease; Angiographic Imaging; T-Iymphocyte; Flow Cytometry; Ionizing Radiation; Iodinated
Contrast Media.
Abbreviations: IR: Ionizing Radiation; CVD: Cardiovascular Disease; EDTA: Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acetate.