Specific interactions between lectins and red blood cells of chornobyl cleanup workers as indicator of some late radiation effects
Aim: Growing interest in lectins is based on their diagnostic and pharmacological potential, especially the ability to inhibit proliferation and initiate apoptosis of cancer cells. In our research microplate lectinoassay able to detect carbohydrate containing structures (receptors) on erythrocyte su...
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Інститут експериментальної патології, онкології і радіобіології ім. Р.Є. Кавецького НАН України
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irk-123456789-1377472018-06-22T15:29:37Z Specific interactions between lectins and red blood cells of chornobyl cleanup workers as indicator of some late radiation effects Karpova, I.S. Original contributions Aim: Growing interest in lectins is based on their diagnostic and pharmacological potential, especially the ability to inhibit proliferation and initiate apoptosis of cancer cells. In our research microplate lectinoassay able to detect carbohydrate containing structures (receptors) on erythrocyte surface have been proposed for Chornobyl cleanup workers (1986) monitoring. It was expected to reveal specific abnormalities associated with pathological condition arising as a result of late radiation effects. Materials and Methods: Red blood cell (RBC) specimens were taken from 171 persons distributed into the six cohorts: nonexposed donors (1); chronically exposed to the doses below (2) and over 50 cGy (3); exposed to acute radiation without (4) and with manifestation of acute radiation syndrome (5 and 6). Lectins from 24 species of medicinal plants were purified by ethanol fractionation and electrofocusing. Intensity of lectin-receptor interactions was determined in reaction of hemagglutination. Method of flow cytofluorometry was used to study B-cell counts. Hormone levels in blood serum were determined by radioimmunoassay. Results: An elevated ability of RBC to interact with the panel of lectins was found in all cohorts of exposed persons versus nonexposed donors, moreover, changes in the intensity of lectin-receptor binding depended on the dose of irradiation. Diagnostic value of specific RBC reactions with some individual lectins has been elucidated. Elevated intensity of RBC reaction with Zea mays lectin was accompanied by a decrease in serum content of thyroid hormones T4 and T3, as well as reduction of B-cell counts. In the case of Rubus caesius lectin the more intensive reaction with RBC, the higher level of hormone cortisol was observed. Conclusions: Deviations from donor’s norm in intensity of lectin — RBC interactions in radiation exposed men are supposed to carry information about negative changes in their health status following Chornobyl catastrophe and show the diagnostic potential. The most sensitive reactions have been associated primarily with shifts in endocrine and immune systems. This article is a part of a Special Issue entitled “The Chornobyl Nuclear Accident: Thirty Years After”. 2016 Article Specific interactions between lectins and red blood cells of chornobyl cleanup workers as indicator of some late radiation effects / I.S. Karpova // Experimental Oncology. — 2016 — Т. 38, № 4. — С. 261-266. — Бібліогр.: 20 назв. — англ. 1812-9269 http://dspace.nbuv.gov.ua/handle/123456789/137747 en Experimental Oncology Інститут експериментальної патології, онкології і радіобіології ім. Р.Є. Кавецького НАН України |
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Original contributions Original contributions |
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Original contributions Original contributions Karpova, I.S. Specific interactions between lectins and red blood cells of chornobyl cleanup workers as indicator of some late radiation effects Experimental Oncology |
| description |
Aim: Growing interest in lectins is based on their diagnostic and pharmacological potential, especially the ability to inhibit proliferation and initiate apoptosis of cancer cells. In our research microplate lectinoassay able to detect carbohydrate containing structures (receptors) on erythrocyte surface have been proposed for Chornobyl cleanup workers (1986) monitoring. It was expected to reveal specific abnormalities associated with pathological condition arising as a result of late radiation effects. Materials and Methods: Red blood cell (RBC) specimens were taken from 171 persons distributed into the six cohorts: nonexposed donors (1); chronically exposed to the doses below (2) and over 50 cGy (3); exposed to acute radiation without (4) and with manifestation of acute radiation syndrome (5 and 6). Lectins from 24 species of medicinal plants were purified by ethanol fractionation and electrofocusing. Intensity of lectin-receptor interactions was determined in reaction of hemagglutination. Method of flow cytofluorometry was used to study B-cell counts. Hormone levels in blood serum were determined by radioimmunoassay. Results: An elevated ability of RBC to interact with the panel of lectins was found in all cohorts of exposed persons versus nonexposed donors, moreover, changes in the intensity of lectin-receptor binding depended on the dose of irradiation. Diagnostic value of specific RBC reactions with some individual lectins has been elucidated. Elevated intensity of RBC reaction with Zea mays lectin was accompanied by a decrease in serum content of thyroid hormones T4 and T3, as well as reduction of B-cell counts. In the case of Rubus caesius lectin the more intensive reaction with RBC, the higher level of hormone cortisol was observed. Conclusions: Deviations from donor’s norm in intensity of lectin — RBC interactions in radiation exposed men are supposed to carry information about negative changes in their health status following Chornobyl catastrophe and show the diagnostic potential. The most sensitive reactions have been associated primarily with shifts in endocrine and immune systems. This article is a part of a Special Issue entitled “The Chornobyl Nuclear Accident: Thirty Years After”. |
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Article |
| author |
Karpova, I.S. |
| author_facet |
Karpova, I.S. |
| author_sort |
Karpova, I.S. |
| title |
Specific interactions between lectins and red blood cells of chornobyl cleanup workers as indicator of some late radiation effects |
| title_short |
Specific interactions between lectins and red blood cells of chornobyl cleanup workers as indicator of some late radiation effects |
| title_full |
Specific interactions between lectins and red blood cells of chornobyl cleanup workers as indicator of some late radiation effects |
| title_fullStr |
Specific interactions between lectins and red blood cells of chornobyl cleanup workers as indicator of some late radiation effects |
| title_full_unstemmed |
Specific interactions between lectins and red blood cells of chornobyl cleanup workers as indicator of some late radiation effects |
| title_sort |
specific interactions between lectins and red blood cells of chornobyl cleanup workers as indicator of some late radiation effects |
| publisher |
Інститут експериментальної патології, онкології і радіобіології ім. Р.Є. Кавецького НАН України |
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2016 |
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Original contributions |
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http://dspace.nbuv.gov.ua/handle/123456789/137747 |
| citation_txt |
Specific interactions between lectins and red blood cells of chornobyl cleanup workers as indicator of some late radiation effects / I.S. Karpova // Experimental Oncology. — 2016 — Т. 38, № 4. — С. 261-266. — Бібліогр.: 20 назв. — англ. |
| series |
Experimental Oncology |
| work_keys_str_mv |
AT karpovais specificinteractionsbetweenlectinsandredbloodcellsofchornobylcleanupworkersasindicatorofsomelateradiationeffects |
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2025-07-10T04:24:52Z |
| last_indexed |
2025-07-10T04:24:52Z |
| _version_ |
1837232565772091392 |
| fulltext |
Experimental Oncology ��� �������� ���� ��ecem�er���� �������� ���� ��ecem�er� ��ecem�er� ���
SPECIFIC INTERACTIONS BETWEEN LECTINS AND RED BLOOD
CELLS OF CHORNOBYL CLEANUP WORKERS AS INDICATOR
OF SOME LATE RADIATION EFFECTS
I.S. Karpova
Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv 03680, Ukraine
Aim: Growing interest in lectins is based on their diagnostic and pharmacological potential, especially the ability to inhibit prolifera-
tion and initiate apoptosis of cancer cells. In our research microplate lectinoassay able to detect carbohydrate containing structures
(receptors) on erythrocyte surface have been proposed for Chornobyl cleanup workers (1986) monitoring. It was expected to reveal
specific abnormalities associated with pathological condition arising as a result of late radiation effects. Materials and Methods:
Red blood cell (RBC) specimens were taken from 171 persons distributed into the six cohorts: nonexposed donors (1); chronically
exposed to the doses below (2) and over 50 cGy (3); exposed to acute radiation without (4) and with manifestation of acute radia-
tion syndrome (5 and 6). Lectins from 24 species of medicinal plants were purified by ethanol fractionation and electrofocusing.
Intensity of lectin-receptor interactions was determined in reaction of hemagglutination. Method of flow cytofluorometry was used
to study B-cell counts. Hormone levels in blood serum were determined by radioimmunoassay. Results: An elevated ability of RBC
to interact with the panel of lectins was found in all cohorts of exposed persons versus nonexposed donors, moreover, changes
in the intensity of lectin-receptor binding depended on the dose of irradiation. Diagnostic value of specific RBC reactions with some
individual lectins has been elucidated. Elevated intensity of RBC reaction with Zea mays lectin was accompanied by a decrease
in serum content of thyroid hormones T4 and T3, as well as reduction of B-cell counts. In the case of Rubus caesius lectin the
more intensive reaction with RBC, the higher level of hormone cortisol was observed. Conclusions: Deviations from donor’s norm
in intensity of lectin — RBC interactions in radiation exposed men are supposed to carry information about negative changes
in their health status following Chornobyl catastrophe and show the diagnostic potential. The most sensitive reactions have been
associated primarily with shifts in endocrine and immune systems. This article is a part of a Special Issue entitled “The Chornobyl
Nuclear Accident: Thirty Years After”.
Key Words: ionizing radiation, Chornobyl cleanup workers, lectins, microplate assay, thyroid hormones.
Lectins are known as universally occurring sugar-
�inding proteins of non-immune origin that agglutinate
cells and precipitate polysaccharides or glycopro-
teins [�]. These �iologically active compounds can
specifically recognize car�ohydrate residues �recep-
tors� exposed on cellular mem�ranes in all types of li-
ving cells. It should �e emphasized that mem�ranes
of erythrocytes are particularly saturated with such
residues� so reaction of hemagglutination is routinely
employed for lectins detection and research. Lectins
provide a communicative process �etween molecules�
cells and their environment �ased on specific protein-
car�ohydrate non-covalently interactions.
Growing fundamental interest in lectins is due
to the concept of glycocode� according to which
car�ohydrates are capa�le of transferring su�stantial
�iological information� and lectins can decipher this
information [�]. Human endogenic lectins demon-
strate a wide range of physiological activities: they play
role in fertilization� modulation of immune response
�y activation of B- and T-lymphocytes and neutrophils�
mediate leukocyte adhesion and migration� activation
of complement system and phagocytosis. Some endo-
genic lectins have anti-viral and anti-�acterial activity�
interact with hormone and cytokine receptors� are in-
volved in apoptosis and process of metastasis etc. [�].
Plant �exogenic� lectins have �een used as tools
in �iochemistry and histochemistry for the characteriza-
tion of changes on the human mem�rane surfaces ac-
companying physiological and pathological conditions�
cancer associated differences �eing of grate importance.
The paradox lies in the fact that in different tech-
niques �ased on diagnostic capa�ilities of plant
lectins just red �lood cells �RBC� were out of view
of researchers. A priori very high receptor density for
different lectins on the surfaces of RBC as circulating
and relatively long-living cells indicates an important
physiological role of these structures not yet entirely
clarified. It was assumed and supported �y several
papers that �esides the main function to transport
gases erythrocytes are a�le to deposit and transport
hormones� some nutrients and chemotherapeutic
agents [�� 4]. Also the function of erythrocytes is elimi-
nation of undesira�le particles including �acteria and
circulating immune complexes via receptor CR�. This
erythrocyte receptor was shown to mediate immune
adherence under control of serum endogenic lectin
MBL �mannose �inding lectin� demonstrating that RBC
are involved in an immune function [5].
Based on the work [�� 7]� Ukrainian scientists
have proposed peripheral �lood erythrocytes
as a model for diagnostics of malignant diseases
using a panel of �4 lectins isolated from medicinal
plants �patent of Ukraine № ���� from ��.��.94�. In-
Submitted: September 07, 2016.
Correspondence: E-mail: i.s.karpova@imbg.org.ua; karpova_is@mail.ru
Abbreviations used: ARS — acute radiation syndrome; GAA — hemag-
glutinating activity; IN — integral index; MBL — mannose binding lectin;
NRCRM — National Research Center for Radiation Medicine; RBC — red
blood cells; T3 — triiodothyronine; T4– thyroxine.
Exp Oncol ����
��� 4� �������
��� Experimental Oncology ��� �������� ���� ��ecem�er�
terest to lectins from medicinal plants was motivated
�y an assumption of their putative pharmacological
significance [7] which remains relevant to our time
with accent on lectins’ a�ility to initiate apoptosis
of cancer cells� in particular� to inhi�it proliferation
of leukemia cells [�� 9].
In our research erythrocytes as a test system have
�een used in analogic lectinoassay with some modifi-
cations and data processing. In this paper� we present
a review of the main results o�tained in colla�oration
with �r. E.V. Mikhailovskaya and �r. I.G. Khalyavka
�National Research Center for Radiation Medicine —
NRCRM� concerning the clinical monitoring of cleanup
workers �named liquidators� su�jected to various
doses of irradiation as result of Chorno�yl accident.
The aim was to investigate the specific deviations
in intensity of hemagglutination using RBC of radiation
exposed men and the panel of lectins isolated from
medicinal plants in order to estimate their diagnostic
significance �y assessment of associations with known
parameters of immune and endocrine status.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Panel of �4 lectins used in proposed assay was
o�tained from the following medicinal plants: Achillea
millefolium, Alnus glutinosa, Batula alba, Calendula
officinalis, Diospyros kaki, Equisetum arvense, Euca
liptus globulus, Fragaria vesca, Glechoma hedera
cea, Gnaphallum uliginosum, Grataegus monogyna,
Hypericum perforatum, Leonurus cardiaca, Mentha
piperita, Menyanthes trifollata, Plantago major,
Polygonum aviculare, Polygonum bistorta, Rubus
caesius, Salvia officinalis, Sambucus nigra, Tussilago
farfara, Urtica dioica, Zea mays. Plant selection was
motivated �y their use in her�al medicine as antitumor
su�stancies.
Purification of lectins from dried material was
performed �y ethanol precipitation of crude extracts
to 5�% saturation com�ined with a modified method
of isoelectric focusing [��]. Preparations were dried
�y lyophilization and stored at ��� °C. Before use
partly purified lectins were dissolved in saline to the
final concentration of � mg/ml. Microplates with
diluted lectins were dried and can �e stored in solid
state at �4 °C for � weeks without loss of lectin ac-
tivity. Hemagglutinating activity �GAA� of lectins
was estimated visually �y adding �% suspension
of native human erythrocytes in �uf fered saline�
pH 7.4� to serial two fold dilutions in sterile 9�-well
polystyrene microplates with U-like �ottom. It was
presented as num�ers �relative units� reflecting diam-
eter of erythrocytes pellet where � unit was equivalent
to a diameter of � mm� � units — � mm and � units —
� mm� respectively. Intensity of GAA �designated
as N� was calculated for each lectin �y summing the
values in relative units along the entire order of wells
up to the last lectin dilution where hemagglutination
was o�served. To represent the integral result of the
lectins — erythrocyte interactions the sum of N values
for all lectins tested have �een calculated and desig-
nated as IN — integral index of the microplate assay.
Lectin car�ohydrate specificity was tested �y a�ility
of �� sugars to inhi�it GAA.
Blood samples were taken from men exposed
in �9�� and �eing monitored in NRCRM from
�99� to �99�� who were attri�uted to different cohorts
depending on the character and dose of exposition:
non-exposed donors served as the control �cohort ��;
liquidators chronically exposed to doses �elow �co-
hort �� or higher �cohort �� 5� cGy; persons exposed
to acute radiation with su�clinical form of acute radia-
tion syndrome �ARS� �cohort 4�; persons who suffered
from ARS with �iologically estimated doses �elow
�cohort 5� and over �cohort �� ��� cGy.
To find associations� the results of the microplate
assay were compared with the data of standard
clinical tests. To study main su�types of white �lood
cells method of flow cytofluorometry was used �flow
cytometer Becton �ickinson� USA�. Hormone levels
were determined in �lood serum of patients using
radioimmunoassay kits �CIS� France�.
Statistical analysis was performed using Ori-
gin �.� program �OriginLa� Corporation�. Standard
statistical descriptions of parameters were used
to characterize the data. The Student’s t-criterion was
used to parametric data analysis and White’s test —
to nonparametric estimation [��]. Results with
p < �.�5 were considered significant. �ata are pre-
sented as the mean and the error �ars represent ex-
perimental standard error �± standard deviation� S��.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Proposed microplate lectinoassay actually rep-
resents �lood test for non-traditional parameters�
namely availa�ility and accessi�ility of car�ohydrate
containing structures �receptors� on RBC surface
a�le to interact with lectins from �4 species of me-
dicinal plants. Previously it has �een shown that in the
case of tumors a�ility of lectins to interact with RBC
is reduced �y �����%� some types of reactions �e-
ing entirely a�sent �Patent of Ukraine № ���� from
��.��.94�. In our work this microplate assay with lectins
from medicinal plants was first applied for the studies
of late effects of radiation.
Altogether there were examined �7� persons
distri�uted into the � cohorts �Ta�le ��. The control
group �cohort �� consisted of non-irradiated young
healthy men — cadets of Special Police Su�division
not involved in Chorno�yl zone actions. The cohort
� also consisted of young healthy men registered
in the Registry of Ministry of Internal Affairs who du-
ring road traffic patrol in the Chorno�yl �� km zone
were chronically exposed to the doses �elow 5� cGy
�average dose of ��.� cGy�. Cohorts ��� consisted
mainly of middle-aged men varied �y the character
of work carried out at the moment of their participa-
tion in the liquidation of consequences of Chorno�yl
accident �9��. These persons o�tained relatively high
doses of continuous �cohort �� or acute �cohorts 4���
radiation that varied from 5�.4 to �7� cGy. It was just
Experimental Oncology ��� �������� ���� ��ecem�er���� �������� ���� ��ecem�er� ��ecem�er� ���
in these cohorts the high levels of negative radiation
effects would �e expected.
It was found in our lectinoassay studies that
everyone tested has an individual pattern of RBC
response to the panel of lectins. So� an integral index
of the microplate assay �IN� summarized for all cohort
mem�ers reflects the principal trend that character-
izes the state of the erythrocyte mem�rane receptors
in exposed men� regardless of the individual fluctua-
tions. The mean values of the IN for each cohort versus
average dose are given in Fig. �. It is clear that in all
cohorts of exposed men value of the IN character-
izing the intensity of the reaction of RBC with a set
of lectins significantly exceeds the level of control �IN =
��5.� ± 4.� relative units�. Relia�le were also deviations
of IN mean values for patients in cohorts ��� who
received higher doses of radiation compared with
cohort � exposed to low doses �IN = �4�.� ± �.��. Also
it should �e noted that IN values for persons exposed
to acute irradiation were higher than in case of high
doses of continuous exposition �cohort ��. In cohorts
4�� with su�clinical form �cohort 4� and clinical symp-
toms of ARS integral lectinoassay index reaches the
upper limit for this panel of lectins �IN = ���.� ± ��.��
and no longer depends on the dose increasing. Within
each of the selected cohorts� individual dose depen-
dence of IN was not o�served. This may �e the result
of differences in individual resistance to radiation when
the same dose causes a different response. Nor can
we exclude the possi�ility of some errors in determi-
nation of individual radiation dose using a radiometer.
Proper exposure doses could �e higher� than officially
declared.
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
1 2 3 4 5 6
Do
se
, c
G
y
IN
, r
el
at
ive
u
ni
ts
Cohorts
Dose IN
Fig.1. The intensity of interactions �etween RBC and a set of lec-
tins as mean values of IN in relation to mean exposure doses for
all cohorts tested: � — unexposed donors �n = ���; continuous
exposition: � — < 5� cGy �n = 74�; � — > 5� cGy �n = ���; acute
exposition: 4 — < ��� cGy �n = ���; 5 — > ��� cGy �n = ��� ARS
I�; � — > ��� cGy �n = �7� ARS II� ARS III�
Thus� the IN demonstrate association with average
cohort dose �r = �.�4� and the character of exposure
�continuous� acute�. In situation with small and mid-
dose chronic exposure the intensity of the reaction with
lectins exhi�its a linear dependence on the average
cohort dose. But in the case of acute exposure IN value
reaches a plateau and no longer detects a connection
with the dose. O�viously if the structural and functional
changes have affected almost all availa�le receptors
for a given panel of lectins� a further increase in the
intensity of the reaction does not occur. These results
suggest that in either case� IN can �e considered
as an indicator of erythrocyte receptors condition
in exposed men.
As shown in Ta�le �� distri�ution of personal
IN variation in the most contrasting cohorts showed
directed divergence from monomodal distri�ution
�unexposed control� to �imodal one in the case
of continuously exposed to low doses and almost
flat without the expressed peak for joint group
of persons �cohorts 5 and �� with clinical symptoms
of ARS. So� one or more discrete su�groups repre-
sentatives of which have enhanced GAA intensity
in microplate lectinoassay have �een formed after
exposition. Especially clear these deviations have
�een manifested in patients who suffered from ARS�
where persons with normal IN values are virtually
a�sent.
Table 2. Distribution of liquidators from different cohorts by person-
al va lues of the IN reflecting intensity of their red-cells interactions with
set of lectins
IN classes, relative units
Cohorts
Unexposed
donors
Continuous
exposition
< 50 cGy
Acute
exposition
> 100 cGy
(ARS I, II, III)
N % N % N %
≤ 189 1 3.85 2 2.70 1 3.57
190–209 4 15.38 11 14.86 2 7.14
210–229 12 46.15 10 13.51 3 10.71
230–249 6 23.08 11 14.86 6 21.43
250–269 3 11.54 13 17.57 4 14.29
270–289 0 0 20 27.03 3 10.71
290–309 0 0 7 9.46 4 14.29
310–329 0 0 0 0 4 14.29
≥ 330 0 0 0 0 1 3.57
Number of persons tested 26 74 28
It should �e noted that cohort � with persons ex-
posed to low doses was quite homogeneous �y age
and profession and its representatives �eing first exa-
mined had no complaints and chronic diseases. After
their participation in rescue operations in �9�� and
�eing followed in NRCRM they got complaints a�out
health concerning first of all arterial hypertension�
Table 1. Cohort characterization by age and profession at the moment of cleanup operations in 1986
Cohorts 1 2 3 4 5 6
Number 26 74 23 20 11 17
Age 21.7 ± 0.6 31.0 ± 0.8 39.6 ± 2.4 36.6 ± 1.5 37.7 ± 3.5 39.6 ± 2.3
Cadets of Special Police Subdivision + – – – – –
Road patrol – + – – – –
Nuclear power station staff – – + + + +
Firefighters – – – + + +
Builders – – + + + +
Military security – – + + + +
Dose, cGy by radiation dosimeter – 16.0 ± 11.1 84.7 ± 12.2 56.4 ± 8.3
by cytogenetic method 85.5 ± 19.9 270 ± 33.3
��4 Experimental Oncology ��� �������� ���� ��ecem�er�
symptoms of coronary heart disease and neurologic
symptoms. It seems evident that reduction in pro-
portion of persons with normal reaction of RBC with
lectins �Ta�le �� reflects the trend for the worsening
in their health. The most important �iological sys-
tems responsi�le for homeostasis of human �ody�
especially hematopoietic �hematopoietic stem cells��
immune� and neuroendocrine are known to �e very
sensitive to ioni zing radiation [��]. So� pronounced
deviations a�ove the normal IN values for persons
suffering from ARS may result from the heterogene-
ity of chronic diseases affecting all the vital organs
and systems in this group: hemopoietic diseases�
endocrine system pathology� dysfunction of the im-
mune system� diseases of cardiovascular� genitouri-
nary� central nervous system� diseases of digestive
organs� etc [��]. Also ionizing radiation was shown
to induce stress of antioxidative system and activate
the processes of lipid peroxidation that may result
in damaging the RBC mem�rane.
The revealed intensification in interactions
of RBC and lectins may also result from structural
modifications in the composition of glycoconjugates
covering the erythrocyte mem�rane accompanying
pathological changes in various organs and systems
of the irradiated �ody which were more pronounced
in patients who have received a higher dose. The
development of many diseases is accompanied
�y a�normal glycosylation of solu�le and receptor
proteins [�4].
Changes in the intensity of lectin — receptor
�inding accompanying the deterioration of the health
of liquidators show the diagnostic potential of such
reactions. But results o�tained required further deci-
fering �y comparing the lectinoassay data with data
of standard clinical examinations.
For this purpose the search of specific unidirec-
tional deviations in the reaction with individual lectins
for exposed men versus unexposed donors was car-
ried out. An example of such analysis is given in Fig.
� for persons continuously exposed to low doses
�cohort ��. Over ��% representatives of this cohort
demonstrated high RBC reactivity with lectin of Zea
mays pestils. This lectin with specificity to galactose
and N-acetylgalactosamine was found to aggluti-
nate the ra��it erythrocytes. As it is evident from
the data presented in Fig. �� Zea mays lectin really
interacts very weakly with erythrocytes of the majority
of healthy unexposed donors.
It was shown that persons who had the elevated
reactivity of their RBC with Zea mays lectin demon-
strated the parallel reduction of B-cell �C��9� counts
in �lood serum �Fig. ��.
This and some other unidirectional deviations
in the reaction with individual lectins were more pre-
cisely identified in persons exposed to high doses
of acute radiation for whom the widest possi�le range
of tests was carried out.
From data presented in Ta�le � it is evident that
persons demonstrating elevated reactivity of their
RBC with Zea mays lectin have significantly lower
serum content of thyroid hormones — thyroxine
�T4� and triiodothyronine �T��� the T4 content �eing
�elow the lower limit of normal level ��9 nmol/l�.
Consequently the intensive reaction with Zea mays
lectin may indicate a decrease in thyroid gland
function. Our data are in agreement with pu�lished
works where valid immunological and hormonal
shifts were noted in health status of liquidators
and domination of thyroid diseases was generally
accepted.
Table 3. Hormone level in blood serum of liquidators subjected to acute
irradiation and characterized by normal (A) and elevated (B) intensity
of hemagglutination in reaction with individual lectins
Hormones
Lectins
Zea mays Rubus caesius
A B A B
T4, nmol/l 91.5 ± 4.9 60.2 ± 9.5* 87.2 ± 6.1 84.7 ± 7.0
F T4, pmol/l 13.0 ± 0.4 12.7 ± 0.5 12.9 ± 0.4 12.9 ± 0.5
T3, ng/ml 1.55 ± 0.08 1.26 ± 0.08* 1.34 ± 0.07 1.65 ± 0.09*
Cortisol, nmol/l 478.4 ± 22.0 433.1 ± 38.4 435.2 ± 20.3 526.2 ± 27.7*
n 29 19 25 23
Note: The difference is significant *p < 0.05 compared to A.
Second example presented in Ta�le � shows
a positive correlation �etween elevated GAA of RBC
with Rubus caesius lectin and higher level of hormone
cortisol which is produced �y adrenal glands. Among
the factors increasing cortisol levels the leading role
�elongs to stressful situations. Many researchers
note that increase of non-cancer pathology in late
period after Chorno�yl accident is the result of com-
�ined effect of ionizing radiation and a complex
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Fr
eq
ue
nc
y,
%
GAA, relative units
Exposed liquidators, n = 60
Unexposed donors, n = 26
Fig. 2. �istri�ution of exposed persons depending on the inten-
sity of RBC interaction with Zea mays lectin. *p < �.�5 compared
to unexposed donors
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
B-
ly
m
ph
oc
yt
es
a
m
ou
nt
, %
Ranking of persons tested
Unexposed donors
Exposed liquidators
Fig. 3. �istri�ution of exposed persons with elevated intensity
of RBC and Zea mays lectin interaction depending on B cell counts
in peripheral �lood. *p < �.�5 compared to unexposed donors
Experimental Oncology ��� �������� ���� ��ecem�er���� �������� ���� ��ecem�er� ��ecem�er� ��5
of non-radiation stressful factors �psychological�
social etc� [��].
Thus� deviations in the reactions of erythrocytes
with Zea mays and Rubus caesius lectins can serve
as indicators of endocrine status changes which
in latent period are difficult to diagnose. Special RBC
sensitivity to the changes of thyroid status can �e at-
tri�uted to their participation in the transport of thyroid
hormones [�5� ��]. The change of thyroid status may
in turn affect parameters of oxidative stress [�7] which
can cause changes of mem�rane condition.
Specific variations in reactions with the individual
lectins have �een identified for each studied cohort
and an increase in the num�er and intensity of such
a�normalities o�served in persons who o�tained
higher doses of ionizing radiation [��].
We can assume that the increase in the intensity
of the interaction of lectins with erythrocyte receptors
of exposed men indicates the strengthening of adap-
tive reactions of the organism in response to changes
in �lood levels of �iologically active su�stances.
We know that in normal condition functions only
a small part of the cell mem�rane receptors and their
num�er may increase with a decrease in the level
of certain meta�olites [�9].
It should �e noted that the vector in reaction
of hemagglutination with the set of lectins towards
increased values in exposed individuals is opposite
to that o�served �y previous researchers in cancer
patients with significantly lower values of IN integral
index. �ecrease in intensity of the reaction can occur
in response to the appearance of toxic meta�olites
or increased content of �iologically active su�stances
�such as cytokines� due to the induction of expression
of certain genes [��]. Radiation-induced tumors are
a rare stochastic events and can occur in more distant
terms in comparison with the interval in which our
research was conducted [��].
The results o�tained and the pu�lished data
leads to the conclusion that a set of lectins in reac-
tion with erythrocyte receptors can �e used as a tool
to o�tain information a�out the changes of main
organs and systems affected �y exposure to ioni zing
radiation manifested at late period. �eviations from
donor’s norm in lectin — erythrocyte ineractions
in radiation exposed men are supposed to �e early
indicators of negative changes in their health status
following Chorno�yl catastrophe. The most com-
mon primarily changes were shown to �e associated
with the shifts in endocrine and immune systems.
Health pro�lems initiated �y Chorno�yl accident
are not in the past. Now descendants of liquidators
are coming into reproductive age. Therefore� after
some modernization the sensitive test with lectins
may �e useful for screenshot survey and formation
of high-risk groups. The complex mechanisms under-
lying changes in the erythrocyte cell surface which
are related to pathology development� and a puta-
tive contri�ution of endo genous lectins is a field for
further investigations.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This work was supported �y grants provided �y the
National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine “Application
of lectins of medicinal plants as new diagnostic tools
and anticarcinogenic agents” �program “Chorno�yl II”�
code 4.7.��; “Lectins of medicinal plants as a tool
of early diagnosis and prevention of negative changes
in human health appeared as a result of effects of the
Chorno�yl accident” �project code 7.�7.4�4��.
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