Purpose: The aim of the study was to determine the concentration of elements using the two methods: total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) and wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WD-XRF) in two media, DMEM + and PBS+.

Materials and methods: Tests were carried out at 37 and 0 degrees C, irradiated by gamma radiation doses of 0, 0.25, 0.5, 5 Gy, both with and without contact with CHO-K1 cells. The survival of non-irradiated CHO-K1 cells was determined after transmission of media from irradiated CHO-K1.

Results: Normalized concentrations of elements as a percentage of control data (i.e. 0 Gy dose) for Al, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Zn, Br, were determined using the TXRF method and for Na, P, S, Cl, K, Ca determined using the WD-XRF method in DMEM + and PBS + without and with contact with cells at two temperatures, 37 and 0 degrees C, and three absorbed doses of 0.25, 0.5 and 5 Gy. Concentration of elements, presented on the coordinates of the two principal components (PC) for media without contact with cells, determined by the TXRF method and in contact with cells, determined by the TXRF and WD-XRF methods were presented. Treatments to which the media were subjected, presented as co-ordinates determined by the first two PC when media were without and in contact with cells (TXRF method) and for media in contact with cells (WD-XRF method) were shown.

Conclusions: The results showed that a statistically significant difference occurred in elemental concentrations for media in contact with the cells at the temperatures used. From principal component analysis (PCA), it was observed that the concentrations of elements such as Al, K, Ca, Zn, Br were similar to each other, in contrast to the concentrations of P, Cl, S, both with contact and without contact with cells. A high correlation between the treatment of media within the group at doses of 0.25 Gy and for the group with 0.5 and 5 Gy doses was confirmed. Numerous correlations were observed between the concentrations of elements for media that were in contact with cells, which were not observed in media without contact with cells. The survival of non-irradiated CHO-K1 cells, was determined after transmission of media from irradiated CHO-K1 cells showing no statistically significant differences.