Antioxidants Reduce Consequences of Radiation Exposure

Abstract

Antioxidants have been studied for their capacity to reduce the cytotoxic effects of radiation in normal tissues for at least 50 years. Early research identified sulfur-containing antioxidants as those with the most beneficial therapeutic ratio, even though these compounds have substantial toxicity when given in-vivo. Other antioxidant molecules (small molecules and enzymatic) have been studied for their capacity to prevent radiation toxicity both with regard to reduction of radiation-related cytotoxicity and for reduction of indirect radiation effects including long-term oxidative damage. Finally, categories of radiation protectors that are not primarily antioxidants, including those that act through acceleration of cell proliferation (e.g. growth factors), prevention of apoptosis, other cellular signaling effects (e.g. cytokine signal modifiers), or augmentation of DNA repair, all have direct or indirect effects on cellular redox state and levels of endogenous antioxidants. In this review we discuss what is known about the radioprotective properties of antioxidants, and what those properties tell us about the DNA and other cellular targets of radiation.

Role of Peroxiredoxin I in Rectal Cancer and Related to p53 Status

“…Several studies have shown that overexpression of Prx I increases cellular resistance to oxidative stress (25)(26)(27). Radiation sensitivity might rely on the cells' ability to manage radiation-induced ROS by way of the detoxifying action of antioxidant enzymes (28,29). Our study showed more intracellular ROS in cells transfected with the PrxI silencing vector than wild-type cells after hydrogen peroxide treatment.…”

Efficiency of Borage Seeds Oil Against Gamma Irradiation-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Male Rats: Possible Antioxidant Activity

“…The imbalance between oxidant/antioxidants is leading to an excessive production of oxygen metabolites, which creates an oxidative stress (Ho et al, 1998). Antioxidants have the capacity to reduce harmful effects of radiation on normal tissues (Okunieff et al, 2008). Antioxidants supplements reduce the treatment-related adverse effects, which occur during radiation therapy by overcome the oxidative damage to normal cells (Lawenda et al, 2008).…”

Hepatic Nrf2 expression is altered by quercetin supplementation in X-irradiated rats

“…Otsuka et al (6) demonstrated that exposure of mice to 0.5 Gy at a dose rate of 1.2 mGy/h for 23 days increased the gene expression of catalase and MnSOD by a factor of 2.5, while at higher doses of 1.0 and 1.3 Gy at a similar dose rate, gene expression either increased by only 1.4 or was not significantly different from non-irradiated controls, respectively. The nucleus, cell membrane and mitochondria are considered sensitive targets for the reduction or prevention of radiation damage by antioxidants (7). One of the most studied effects of ionizing radiation is DNA damage.…”