New pharmacological means of radiation protection (literature review)

Abstract

The review systematized the current data on new classes of pharmacological compounds and biologically active substances in the field of radiation protection in Ukraine, as well as abroad. Methodological approaches and the importance of using appropriate animal models in the development of new pharmacological drugs for radiation protection are described, specifically in the cases when it is impossible to conduct full clinical trials on patients. Current views on the division of pharmacological agents into radioprotectors, radiomitigators, and therapeutic radiation protection agents are examined. The changes in the hematopoietic tissue, gastrointestinal tract and neurovascular system that occur after acute radiation exposure are also described. Particular attention is paid to pharmacological agents that can protect against acute exposure to ionizing radiation by limiting the risk of radiation mortality from the hematological and gastrointestinal forms of radiation syndrome. Results of the effectiveness of tolerant antioxidants with a wide spectrum of biological activity as promising agents for the prevention of acute and delayed radiation-induced pathology, in particular, in lung tissue, are presented. Possible molecular mechanisms of the radioprotective effect of pharmacological compounds on experimental models of total and local radiation exposure are discussed. The effectiveness of the therapeutic use of growth factors and recombinant cytokines in acute bone marrow suppression аfter accidental radiation exposure is shown. The possibilities of cell therapy with myeloid progenitor cells mobilized by tocopherol succinate hematopoietic/progenitor cells and bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells in acute radiation injuries are shown. Special attention is paid to the importance of improving such methodological approaches and regulatory requirements when introducing into practice new radiation protection facilities in Ukraine. Key words: radiation protection, ionizing radiation, pharmacological agents, acute radiation syndrome. For citation: Uzlenkova NE. New pharmacological means of radiation protection (literature review). Journal of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine. 2019;25(3) :268–77