Protective effect of ferulic acid on gamma-radiation-induced micronuclei, dicentric aberration and lipid peroxidation in human lymphocytes

In this study we examined radioprotective effect of ferulic acid (FA) on gamma radiation-induced dicentric aberration and lipid peroxidation with reference to alterations in cellular antioxidant status in cultured lymphocytes. To establish most effective protective support we used three different concentrations of FA (1, 5 and 10 microg/ml) and three different doses of gamma-radiation (1, 2 and 4 Gy). Treatment of lymphocytes with FA alone (at 10 microg/ml) gave no significant change in micronuclei (MN), dicentric aberration (DC), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) or glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities when compared with normal lymphocytes; irradiation at 1, 2 and 4 Gy increased the MN and DC frequencies in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with FA for 30 min before radiation exposure resulted in a significant decline of MN and DC yields as FA concentration increased. Compared to 1 Gy exposure alone, the extent to which FA (1 microg/ml) reduced the MN and DC yields was 75% and 50%, respectively. With 4 Gy irradiation, FA (10 microg/ml) decreased 45% MN and 25% DC frequencies. FA-pretreated lymphocytes (1, 5 and 10 microg/ml) showed progressively decreased TBARS levels after irradiation. Irradiation (1, 2 and 4 Gy) significantly decreased GSH levels, SOD, CAT and GPx activities in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment with 10 microg/ml of FA significantly (p<0.05) prevented the decreases in the radiation-induced GSH, SOD, CAT and GPx activities. These findings suggest potential use and benefit of FA as a radioprotector.     

The effects of gamma irradiation on the survival and development of Clonorchis sinensis metacercariae

The effects of gamma irradiation on the survival and development of C. sinensis metacercariae were studied to evaluate the feasibility of irradiation as a control measure for clonorchiasis. Pseudorasbora parva were collected at an endemic river of clonorchiasis and were used for irradiation of the fluke in three schemes. The first (Scheme 1) was irradiation of the isolated metacercariae from the fish followed by infection to experimental rats. The second (Scheme 2) was irradiation of the fish, and then the metacercariae were isolated and infected to rats. The third (Scheme 3) was irradiation on the rat livers after infection with normal metacercariae. Irradiation doses varied from 5 to 100 Gy for Schemes 1 and 2, and 10 to 25 Gy for Scheme 3. The rats were sacrificed 2 to 6 weeks after infection. In Scheme 1, the metacercariae irradiated at 50 Gy failed to survive in the rats after 2 or 6 weeks. However, 1 to 44% of the metacercariae irradiated at 5-30 Gy survived. The estimated LD50 of Scheme 1 was 16.5 Gy. The flukes irradiated in Scheme 2 survived better than those in Scheme 1. The average worm recovery rate in 50 Gy was 28%(7-39% individually). Increasing the dose up to 100 Gy brought a remarkably low survival rate of an average 1%(0-3% individually). The LD50 of Scheme 2 was 47.5 Gy. Worm recovery rates in the 10 Gy group of Scheme 3 were 21-39%, and those in the 25 Gy group were 2% and 34%. Although the metacercariae were irradiated, all of the recovered worms were morphologically normal.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Protective effect of curcumin on gamma-radiation induced DNA damage and lipid peroxidation in cultured human lymphocytes

The present work is aimed at evaluating the radioprotective effect of curcumin, a naturally occurring phenolic compound on gamma-radiation induced toxicity. The cellular changes were estimated by using lipid peroxidative indices like thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), the antioxidants superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and reduced glutathione (GSH). The DNA damage was analysed by using cytokinesis blocked micronucleus assay and dicentric aberration (DC). The gamma-radiation at different doses (1, 2 and 4Gy) were found to significantly increase micronuclei (MN), DC frequencies and TBARS level whereas the levels of GSH and antioxidant enzymes were significantly decreased. The maximum damage to lymphocytes was observed at 4Gy irradiation. Curcumin pretreatment (1, 5 and 10microg/ml) significantly decreased the frequency of MN and DC. The levels of TBARS decreased and activities of SOD, CAT and GPx significantly increased along with GSH levels. At 1Gy irradiation all the concentrations of curcumin (1, 5 and 10microg/ml) significantly protected the lymphocytes from radiation damage. At 2Gy irradiation, 5 and 10microg/ml of curcumin showed significant radioprotection. Since the highest damage was observed at 4Gy irradiation both 1 and 5microg/ml of curcumin pretreatment were not sufficient to protect the lymphocytes from radiation damage but 10microg/ml of curcumin significantly protected the cultured lymphocytes from radiation damage. Thus, pretreatment with curcumin gives protection to lymphocytes against gamma-radiation induced cellular damage.     

Differential radiation sensitivity to morphological, functional and molecular changes of human thyroid tissues and bone marrow cells maintained in SCID mice

Morphology and function of human organs and tissues are well maintained in the improved SCID (severe combined immunodeficient) mice for a long period (approximately 3 years). To study the radiation-induced damage on human thyroid gland, human thyroid tissues transplanted to SCID mice were consecutively exposed to X-rays or 137Cs gamma-rays at high and low dose rates for approximately 2 years. Consecutive irradiation resulted in the disappearance of follicles and significant decrease of thyroid hormone secretion. Mutations in p53 and c-kit genes were induced significantly in human thyroid tissues from old head and neck cancer patients (av. 56.8 years, 4 males) and a Graves' disease patient (20 years, male) over the dose of 24 Gy (44.7+/-5.9 Gy, mean+/-S.E) and 11 Gy (20.2+/-7.8 Gy), respectively, while mutations were not detected at lower doses nor in unexposed matched controls (p < 0.01). There were significant differences in mutation frequency in the transplanted human thyroid tissues (31 years, female) between high dose rate (1.19 Gy/min; 8 in 20 tissues) and low dose rate (0.00023 Gy/min; 0 in 14 tissues) exposures (p < 0.01). Mutations were not detected in RET, K-ras and beta-catenin genes. Expression analysis by GeneChip indicated that gene expression was also well maintained in the transplanted human thyroid tissues. However, lower doses (1 or 3 Gy) of 137Cs gamma-rays can induce changes in gene expression in the transplanted human thyroid tissues. Furthermore, fatally irradiated SCID mice could survive with human bone marrow cell transplantation. When about half of mouse bone marrows were replaced by human bone marrow cells, the human bone marrow cells showed high sensitivity to gamma-irradiation; 28.0% and 0.45% survival after 0.5 and 2.0 Gy exposures, respectively.     

Effects of Echis pyramidum Snake Venom on Hepatic and Renal Antioxidant Enzymes and Lipid Peroxidation in Rats

The effects of Echis pyramidum venom (EPV) (0.25, 0.50, and 1.00 mg/kg) on activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and total thiols (T‐SH) in liver and kidneys of rats were investigated. EPV significantly and dose dependently decreased the activities of SOD and CAT in livers. Although the kidney SOD and CAT activities were not affected by low and medium doses of EPV, the high dose significantly reduced the activities of these enzymes. Liver and kidney TBARS levels were not affected by the low and medium doses of EPV, whereas the high dose significantly increased the TBARS after 6 h postdosing. There was a significant depletion of T‐SH in liver and kidneys of rats exposed to a high dose of EPV. The acute phase oxidative stress due to an EPV injection points toward the importance of an early antioxidant therapy for the management of snake bites.     

Free radicals production and estimation of oxidative stress related to γ irradiation

The effectiveness of chemiluminescence (ChL) in vitro to measure free radicals generated as a result of metabolic disorganization caused by radiation sickness is evaluated. The results are correlated with those obtained by measuring superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and lipid peroxide as levels of thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS). To this aim, livers from irradiated Wistar rats were removed immediately (day 0) after irradiation and also 7 and 14 d later. ChL results, expressed in arbitrary units (AU)/min/mg protein, were analyzed for irradiated samples and controls, for different doses at different times. Increased levels of ChL emission were observed not only on day 0, but also on days 7 and 14. On the other hand, SOD activity showed a decrease on the 7th d, and significantly higher lipid peroxide levels were observed in the assays performed on the 14th d, at all exposure doses. The correlation between temporal changes in the SOD activity, ChL emission, and higher TBARS levels a week later were evident from the data. These results indicate that the ChL technique proved to be useful in combination with other techniques currently used for evaluating radiation oxidative injury.     

Protective effect of curcumin on γ-radiation induced DNA damage and lipid peroxidation in cultured human lymphocytes

The present work is aimed at evaluating the radioprotective effect of curcumin, a naturally occurring phenolic compound on γ-radiation induced toxicity. The cellular changes were estimated by using lipid peroxidative indices like thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), the antioxidants superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and reduced glutathione (GSH). The DNA damage was analysed by using cytokinesis blocked micronucleus assay and dicentric aberration (DC). The γ-radiation at different doses (1, 2 and 4 Gy) were found to significantly increase micronuclei (MN), DC frequencies and TBARS level whereas the levels of GSH and antioxidant enzymes were significantly decreased. The maximum damage to lymphocytes was observed at 4 Gy irradiation. Curcumin pretreatment (1, 5 and 10 μg/ml) significantly decreased the frequency of MN and DC. The levels of TBARS decreased and activities of SOD, CAT and GPx significantly increased along with GSH levels. At 1 Gy irradiation all the concentrations of curcumin (1, 5 and 10 μg/ml) significantly protected the lymphocytes from radiation damage. At 2 Gy irradiation, 5 and 10 μg/ml of curcumin showed significant radioprotection. Since the highest damage was observed at 4 Gy irradiation both 1 and 5 μg/ml of curcumin pretreatment were not sufficient to protect the lymphocytes from radiation damage but 10 μg/ml of curcumin significantly protected the cultured lymphocytes from radiation damage. Thus, pretreatment with curcumin gives protection to lymphocytes against γ-radiation induced cellular damage.     

Effects of gamma-irradiation on the infectivity and chromosome aberration of Clonorchis sinensis

Effects of gamma irradiation on the worm survival and chromosomal aberration of Clonorchis sinensis were studied. The metacercariae irradiated with various amounts of gamma radiation (ranging from 5 Gy to 50 Gy) were fed to rats, and the effects were compared with those of non-irradiated controls. Recovery rates of adult worms in irradiated groups were reduced gradually as increasing of the irradiation doses. No worm was recovered from rats which were fed with 50 Gy irradiated metacercariae. The chromosome number was 2n = 56 in all worms from all experimental groups. However, the groups irradiated with 20 Gy, 25 Gy or 30 Gy showed variations in the chromosome number, depending on different cells in the same individual. Radiation doses used in this study did not appear to induce chromosome aberrations, however, irradiation with 30 Gy showed slightly reduced chromosome size.     

Two types of X-ray-induced radioresistance in mice: Presence of 4 dose ranges with distinct biological effects

Preirradiation with 0.05 Gy of X rays 2 months before a second exposure to a mid-lethal dose significantly enhanced the survival rate in both female and male ICR strain mice. The radioresistance was observed between 2–2.5 months after exposure to 0.05 Gy. It did not appear within 1.5 months, and disappeared after 3 months. This radioresistance was induced only by whole-body preirradiation (not by partial irradiation of the head or the trunk). On the other hand, preirradiation with 0.30 Gy as well as 0.50 Gy resulted in radioresistance 2 weeks later, but not 2 months later. The radioresistance was induced by whole-body preirradiation or partial preirradiation of the trunk. No radioresistance was evident after exposure of intermediate preirradiation doses of 0.15 and 0.20 Gy administered before 2 months and 2–5 weeks, respectively. The present and previous results show that the biological effects of ionizing radiation may be distinguished with the following four radiation dose ranges; (1) below 0.025 Gy: no radioresistance after 2 months; (2) 0.05–0.10 Gy: significant radioresistance after 2–2.5 months; (3) 0.20 Gy: no radioresistance after 2–5 weeks; and (4) 0.30–0.50 Gy or more: significant radioresistance after 2 weeks. These results conflict with previous findings of the biological effects of ionizing radiation in which the radiation hazard increases in relation to increasing accumulated doses. Some stimulation, in addition to adaptation, by low dose irradiation may have occurred.     

Hepatic radiation injury in the rat.

The whole livers of rats were exposed intraoperatively to graded doses (0 to 75 Gy) of 137Cs gamma radiation. At various times (0 to 155 days) after liver irradiation, minimally invasive, nondestructive tests (rose bengal retention and plasma alkaline phosphatase, glutamic-oxaloacetic acid transaminase, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase) were performed on at least half the surviving animals in each dose group to assess developing liver injury. Liver histology was done on animals sacrificed 96 to 100 days after irradiation. Radiation damage to the stomach killed approximately 50% of the animals 30 to 60 days after exposure to doses of 25 Gy or higher. These deaths were significantly reduced when care was taken to shield the stomach during irradiation. Stomach injury did not, however, appreciably affect liver function as measured by rose bengal retention. Whole-liver irradiation to 15 Gy resulted in reduced liver size and minimal histological changes, but did not result in increased rose bengal retention or plasma alkaline phosphatase concentration. The next highest dose group studied (25 Gy) showed significant histological abnormalities and liver injury as measured by increased rose bengal retention and liver enzymes. The latent period for development of hepatic injury, as measured by increased rose bengal retention, was 35 to 42 days and was relatively invariant over the 25- to 75-Gy dose range. Hepatic vein lesions and cellular necrosis were the most prominent histological lesions observed in 25-Gy-irradiated liver.     

小鼠低剂量辐射损伤模型的初步研究

目的:对小鼠低剂量辐射损伤模型进行初步研究并筛选敏感检测指标.方法:实验分7组,1组为正常组,其余6组用XHA600直线加速器射线照射,每组取一部分小鼠于照射后2、4、8、16h测定红细胞(RBC)、白细胞(WBC)、血小板(PLT)和血红蛋白(HGB)含量;测定小鼠肝脏和脾脏重量及其组织中的超氧化合物歧化酶(SOD)和丙二醛(MDA)含量;剩余小鼠于4周后观察骨髓切片中血细胞变化.结果:照射后4h测定血常规,发现累积辐射0.4Gy组小鼠RBC有降低趋势,WBC、HGB显著降低,PLT显著升高;肝脏、脾脏的湿质量显著降低;小鼠肝脏组织中MDA的含量显著升高、SOD的活力显著降低;4周后小鼠骨髓细胞的病理改变与单次照射剂量相关,单次较大剂量(如0.6Gy)照射对骨髓细胞影响较大,在4周观察期不能自身恢复,而多次累积照射对骨髓细胞病理改变较小.结论:小鼠低剂量辐射损伤模型的最佳造模剂量为累积照射0.4Gy即每次照射100mGy,间隔一天,连续照射4次.     

The effect of total body gamma-irradiation on mortality, egg production and egg weight of Japanese quails

Male and female Japanese quail 21 weeks old, that were given total body doses of 60Co gamma-rays ranging from 0 to 30 Gy, showed a peak in mortality at 6-8 days post-irradiation. The LD 50/30 was 22.5 Gy, and the LD 90/30 was 26.7 Gy. No differences were evident in mortality between males and females. The reduction in egg production by 30 days post-irradiation was related linearly to the dose, for doses above 6 Gy. The reduction in egg weight (30 days post-irradiation laying period) was also related linearly to the dose.     

电子束辐照对嗜虫书虱存活与繁殖力的影响

采用电子加速器产生电子束辐照处理嗜虫书虱Liposcelis entomophila(Enderlein),分别以0、50、100、200、300、400、500、1000Gy的剂量处理成虫和若虫,观察受辐照后的存活情况和成虫的繁殖情况;以0、25、50、100、200、300、400、500Gy的剂量辐照卵,观察受辐照后卵的孵化情况。结果表明:经50Gy及以上剂量辐照后嗜虫书虱的卵不能孵化,也不能存活;在300Gy及其以上剂量经过不到8周的时间后成虫和若虫都不能存活,且在300、400、500、1000Gy的剂量范围内,嗜虫书虱成虫和若虫受辐照后的剂量越大,存活率降低幅度越大。嗜虫书虱各虫态对电子束辐照的敏感性由高至低依次为卵、若虫、成虫;经300Gy辐照后的成虫和若虫分别在8周和6周内完全死亡,300Gy的剂量可作为电子束有效防治嗜虫书虱的参考剂量。所有50Gy以上剂量下都可明显降低此种害虫的繁殖力,300Gy以上剂量的处理可导致试虫零产卵。     

Survival and reproduction of Liposcelis paeta (Pearman) (Psocoptera: Liposcelididae) when irradiated by electron beams

Electron beam irradiation has been evaluated for the survival and reproduction of Liposcelis paeta Pearman (Psocoptera: Liposcelididae). All effects increased with increasing doses from 50 to 1000 Gy when the electron energy was 2 MeV. Eggs were unable to develop into adults following a dose of 100 Gy. Complete (100%) mortality was achieved about 5 weeks after adult emergence from nymphs irradiated at 300 Gy, whereas 100% mortality of adults was achieved 9 weeks after irradiation at 300 Gy. The fecundity was greatly reduced to 1.82% of that of control when L. paeta adults were irradiated at 250 Gy. A dose of 300 Gy caused complete reproductive sterility in adults. These results suggest that the most susceptible stage was the egg stage, then nymph and adult stages. A dose of 300 Gy is suggested for quarantine treatment of commodities infested by L. paeta.     

Vascular response to fractionated irradiation in the rat lung.

The effects of fractionated hemithorax irradiation on normal lung tissue were examined by measuring changes in the vascular permeability surface area product (PS) and relative lung blood flow in Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats received five daily fractions per week of either 3.0 or 4.0 Gy for 4 weeks to the left lung. Between 3 and 5 weeks after the start of irradiation, the average PS was approximately 50% above normal for the group of rats that received 3.0 Gy/day and 200-300% above normal in the group of rats that received 4.0 Gy/day. Treatment with cyproheptadine, indomethacin, or theophylline had no effect, but treatment with dexamethasone significantly reduced PS to near normal levels. Left-to-right blood flow ratios in the group of rats that received 3.0 Gy/day decreased to 66% of normal levels by 4 weeks. In the group of rats that received 4.0 Gy/day, blood flow decreased to 46% of normal levels by 4 weeks. Treatment with dexamethasone maintained normal blood flow until the drug dose was reduced. These results agree with earlier studies using single-dose irradiation and indicate that the methods used to measure PS and blood flow are sensitive at low doses.     

Bimodal changes in germinability of pea seeds under the influence of low doses of gamma-radiation

Pea seeds (cv. 'Nemchinovskii-85', harvest of 2002, 80%-germination percentage) were exposed to gamma-radiation with doses ranging from 19 cGy to 100 Gy. One week after the irradiation with doses of 19 cGy and 3 Gy. the germination percentage decreased to 58 and 45%, respectively; at doses of 7 and 10 Gy it was 73 and 70% respectively. At greater doses (25, 50, and 100 Gy), germination percentage decreased in proportion. Anomalous changes in seed germination percentage (as a function of irradiation dose) were caused by the redistribution of irradiated seeds between fractions I and II. The measurements of room temperature phosphorescence in air-dry seeds and the phosphorescence of endogenous porphyrines of imbibing seeds showen that the germination decrease after the irradiation with low doses (19 cGy and 3 Gy) was caused by the increase in the number of weak seeds of fraction II, which had high rates of water uptake and suffered from hypoxia under seed coat. Some of these seeds suffocated from hypoxia, and other seeds produced seedlings with morphological defects (such seeds were considered incapable of germination). During storage of seeds irradiated at doses 19 cGy-10 Gy, the recovery of germination percentage (after its initial decrease) was caused by the decrease in seed number in fraction II. The subsequent germination decrease was caused by seed death. The higher was the irradiation dose, the faster were changes in germination percentage during storage of irradiated seeds. Bimodal changes in pea seed germination with the increase of y-irradiation dose has apparently the same origin as the changes in seed germination during accelerated ageing.     

Relative cataractogenic effects of X rays, fission-spectrum neutrons, and 56Fe particles: a comparison with mitotic effects

The eyes of Sprague-Dawley rats were irradiated with doses of 2.5-10 Gy 250-kVp X rays, 1.25-2.25 Gy fission-spectrum neutrons (approximately 0.85 MeV), or 0.1-2.0 Gy 600-MeV/A 56Fe particles. Lens opacifications were evaluated for 51-61 weeks following X and neutron irradiations and for 87 weeks following X and 56Fe-particle irradiations. Average stage of opacification was determined relative to time after irradiation, and the time required for 50% of the irradiated lenses to achieve various stages (T50) was determined as a function of radiation dose. Data from two experiments were combined in dose-effect curves as T50 experimental values taken as percentages of the respective T50 control values (T50-% control). Simple exponential curves best describe dose responsiveness for both high-LET radiations. For X rays, a shallow dose-effect relationship (shoulder) up to 4.5 Gy was followed at higher doses by a steeper exponential dose-effect relationship. As a consequence, RBE values for the high-LET radiations are dose dependent. Dose-effect curves for cataracts were compared to those for mitotic abnormalities observed when quiescent lens epithelial cells were stimulated mechanically to proliferate at various intervals after irradiation. Neutrons were about 1.6-1.8 times more effective than 56Fe particles for inducing both cataracts and mitotic abnormalities. For stage 1 and 2 cataracts, the X-ray Dq was 10-fold greater and the D0 was similar to those for mitotic abnormalities initially expressed after irradiation.     

The modifying effect of beta-carotene on gamma radiation-induced elevation of oxidative reactions and genotoxicity in male rats

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the modulatory role of beta-carotene on the radiation-induced changes in certain biochemical and cytogenetic parameters. beta-Carotene was given by gavage at a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight for 7 consecutive days before whole body gamma irradiation with 7 Gy (single dose). The levels of beta-carotene in plasma, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) in plasma and liver, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase in blood and liver were the selected parameters. Furthermore, the frequency of micronuclei (MN) of polychromatic erythrocytes (PCEs), normochromatic erythrocytes (NCEs), the ratio of PCEs/NCEs and the mitotic index (MI) of bone marrow cells were also evaluated. The biochemical and cytogenetic determinations were carried out 1, 24, and 72 h after radiation exposure.The results obtained revealed that administration of beta-carotene pre-irradiation significantly inhibited the decrease in plasma beta-carotene, significantly reduced the levels of TBARS in plasma and liver. Significant protection of the radiation-induced changes in the activities of SOD and catalase was also recorded in the blood and liver of beta-carotene-treated and -irradiated rats. beta-Carotene resulted in significant inhibition in the frequency of radiation-induced MN, as well as in the ratio of PCEs/NCEs and the MI of bone marrow cells. These results suggest that beta-carotene as a natural product with its antioxidant capacity and capability of quenching singlet oxygen, could play a modulatory role against the cellular damage affected by free radicals induced by whole body irradiation.     

Persistent dose-dependent increases in cycling of haemopoietic precursor cells after irradiation

Between 3 weeks and 36 months after irradiation of mice, there was a dose-dependent increased level of cycling in haemopoietic stem cells (CFU-S) and in granulocyte-macrophage precursor cells (GM-CFC). For CFU-S the percentage kill measured using the thymidine suicide technique increased from about 10% in controls to a high and persistent average level of about 45% after 10 Gy gamma-rays, and for GM-CFC the increase was from about 30% to about 50%.