Assessing liver proteins and enzymes of medical workers exposed to ionizing radiation (IR)

Abstract

The cross-sectional study was conducted to examine hepatic function via liver enzymes/proteins assessments, along with the estimation of an inflammatory response from C-reactive protein (CRP)-which is a liver-synthesized protein. The liver function tests with aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bilirubin (BBN), and CRP test were conducted for radiation-exposed workers-REW (n = 32) and radiation-unexposed workers-RUW (n = 21). The annual average effective doses (AAED) were measured from thermoluminescent dosimeter. A t test and bivariate correlation analyses were applied. Only one worker had a high AST value (50 U/L), one worker had a negligible high ALT value (43 U/L) and only one worker had a negligible high bilirubin value (1.3 g/dL). There were normal levels of CRP (up to 6 mg/L) in all individuals. There existed a nonsignificant difference (p < 0.050) between the mean values of liver enzymes and proteins in all exposed and unexposed workers. Nonsignificant weak correlations are reported in liver enzymes/proteins parameters: AST, ALT, ALP, BBN, CRP with the AAED range (whole-body: 0.91-3.39 mSv) during 2011-2015. The normal values of liver enzymes/proteins' (AST, ALT, ALP, BBN, CRP) values may ensure a good hepatic health of radiation-exposed medical workers with AAED range mentioned. We found that low ionizing radiation doses did not alter the liver function test parameters and did not affect the concentration of an inflammatory response protein, i.e., CRP.

Keywords: Alanine aminotransferase (ALT); Alkaline phosphatase (ALP); Annual Average Effective Dose (AAED); Aspartate aminotransferase (AST); Bilirubin (BBN); C-reactive protein (CRP); Ionizing Radiation (IR).