FDXR Gene Expression after in Vivo Radiation Exposure of Pediatric Patients Undergoing Interventional Cardiology Procedures

Background: Ferredoxin reductase (FDXR) has already been reported as a promising biomarker for estimating radiation doses in radiotherapy. This study aimed to investigate the responsiveness of FDXR on pediatric population exposed to ionizing radiation (X-rays) during pediatric interventional cardiology (IC) procedures. Patients and Methods: Peripheral blood was collected by venipuncture from 24 pediatric donors before and 24 hours after the IC procedure. To estimate the effective dose, demographic data and Air Kerma-Area Product (PKA) were recorded for each patient. The relative quantification (RQ) of the FDXR gene in irradiated patient blood samples compared to the non-irradiated blood samples was determined using qPCR analysis. The relative values of FDXR were log- transformed. Results: The effective dose ranged from 0.002 mSv to 8.004 mSv. Over this radiation exposure range, the FDXR gene expression varied randomly with the effective dose. Up-regulation in FDXR expression was observed in 17 patients and down-regulation in 7 patients. Conclusions: Further studies in a larger cohort of pediatric patients along with the record of clinical data are needed to determine whether FDXR gene expression is an effective biomarker for radiation exposure estimation in pediatric imaging.

Automated summary

This study investigated the responsiveness of ferredoxin reductase (FDXR) on pediatric population exposed to ionizing radiation during pediatric interventional cardiology procedures. The results showed that the FDXR gene expression varied randomly with the effective dose within the radiation exposure range. Further studies are needed to determine whether FDXR gene expression is an effective biomarker for radiation exposure estimation in pediatric imaging.