Objective To investigate the difference of radiation-sensitive gene expression between radiation-exposed and non-radiation-exposed workers in a nuclear industry factory.

Methods Peripheral blood samples from 3 healthy volunteers were exposed to ⁶⁰Co γ-rays at different doses. Exposure of murine double minute 2(MDM2) mRNA expression to ionizing radiation was observed. MDM2 gene expression levels were detected in peripheral blood from 96 workers(i.e., 49 radiation-exposed workers and 47 non-radiation-exposed workers) in a nuclear industry factory by using real-time PCR.

Results The MDM2 expression levels of peripheral blood samples from 3 healthy volunteers exposed to ⁶⁰Co γ-rays increased with an increased dose of 0 Gy to 2 Gy. Moreover, the relationship between the ratio of MDM2 mRNA/β-actin and irradiation dose represents certain line correlation, which was fit by Origin 7.5 software. The detection and analysis results of MDM2 gene expression levels in nuclear factory workers showed no statistically significant difference between different age groups and MDM2 gene expression levels in the peripheral blood of non-radiation-exposed equilibrium distribution of staff(F=2.11, P>0.05). Therefore, age factor had no effect on MDM2 gene expression. The MDM2 gene in the peripheral blood of radioactivity staff was statistically significant to radiation-exposed workers(t=7.78, P < 0.05).

Conclusions Ionizing radiation can induce changes in gene expression from human peripheral blood, and this process is dose-related. MDM2 gene expression levels may be a new radiosensitive index in health examination survey in the future.