The Impact of Background γ- Radiation on Erythrocyte Nuclear Pathology, The Serotonergic System, and Cytochrome P-450 in Hens (Gallus Gallus Domesticus) from Azerbaijan

Abstract

High levels of background γ-radiation exist in the suburbs of Baku, Azerbaijan. We examined the impact of radiation on erythrocyte nuclear pathologies, levels of cytochrome P-450, and serotonin-modulating anticonsolidation protein (SMAP) in the tissues of the hens from three settlements with different levels of background radiation. Higher levels of radiation resulted in increased nuclear pathologies, upregulation of tissue SMAP levels, and downregulation of cytochrome P-450.We also carried out controlled dosage studies on Wistar male rats which showed significant upregulation of heat shock proteins with molecular mass 70 kDa (HSP70) in the bone marrow 3 and 5 h later of SMAP intraperitoneal administration. Administration of SMAP to rats 3 h prior to γ-radiation exposure (8 Gy) provided significant protection to somatic cell nuclei. We conclude that SMAP can provide protection from the genotoxic effects of γ-radiation through upregulation of HSP70 or the transformation of chromatin into a condensed, more protective conformational state.