Alteration of Peripheral Blood T-cell Subsets in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease; Exposure to Ionizing Radiation (X-rays) and Contrast Medium

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 (27 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.