Effects of flight factors on the degree of nucleus degradation in buccal epithelial cells from pilots

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between nuclear abnormalities (NA) in buccal epithelial cells and flight factors, such as altitude and total duration, as well as the presence of a radioadaptive response in pilots. Methods. The study used a number of techniques, including recording NA in the buccal epithelium and the occurrence of radioadaptive response (RAR) in peripheral blood lymphocytes, to assess adaptive abilities of the body of pilots under the influence of flight factors. Results. In groups with the same number of flight hours, the number of cells with karyorhexis increased with increasing flight altitude. Analysis of NA in buccal epithelial cells with a due account for the presence or absence of RAR showed that the number of cells with karyorexis had a tendency to increase in persons without RAR; in the group with >1,000 flight hours, this tendency was more pronounced. Conclusion. The NA incidence in buccal epithelial cells depended on the total duration and altitude of flights. The effects of flight factors were evident as increased incidence of cells with karyorhexis. This effect was more pronounced in groups of pilots without RAR.