Countermeasures against space radiation induced oxidative stress in mice

Of particular concern for the health of astronauts during space travel is radiation from protons and high atomic number (Z), high energy particles (HZE particles). Space radiation is known to induce oxidative stress in astronauts after extended space flight. In the present study, the total antioxidant status was used as a biomarker to evaluate oxidative stress induced by proton and HZE particle radiation in the plasma of CBA mice and the protective effect of dietary supplement agents. The results indicate that exposure to proton and HZE particle radiation significantly decreased the plasma level of total antioxidants in the irradiated CBA mice. Dietary supplementation with l-selenomethionine (SeM) or a combination of selected antioxidant agents (which included SeM) could partially or completely prevent the decrease in the total antioxidant status in the plasma of animals exposed to proton or HZE particle radiation. These findings suggest that exposure to space radiation may compromise the capacity of the host antioxidant defense system; this adverse biological effect can be prevented at least partially by dietary supplementation with agents expected to have effects on antioxidant activities.     

Enzymes protecting the erythrocyte membrane during the combined exposure to an antioxidant complex and acute irradiation]

The data are presented concerning the effect of ionizing radiation on the hemolytic process and the influence of an antioxidant vitamin complex on the pentosephosphate metabolism and glutathione reductase activity after gamma-irradiation. The antioxidant vitamin complex has been shown to produce a favourable effect on the erythrocyte membrane stability in correcting the radiation-induced changes.     

Effects of dietary supplements on space radiation-induced oxidative stress in Sprague-Dawley rats

Of particular concern for the health of astronauts during space travel is radiation from protons and high-mass, high-atomic-number (Z), and high-energy particles (HZE particles). Space radiation is known to induce oxidative stress in astronauts after extended space flight. In the present study, the total antioxidant status was used as a biomarker to evaluate oxidative stress induced by gamma rays, protons and HZE-particle radiation. The results demonstrate that the plasma level of total antioxidants in Sprague-Dawley rats was significantly decreased (P < 0.01) in a dose-dependent manner within 4 h after exposure to gamma rays. Exposure to protons and HZE-particle radiation also significantly decreased the serum or plasma level of total antioxidants in the irradiated animals. Diet supplementation with L-selenomethionine alone or a combination of selected antioxidant agents was shown to partially or completely prevent the decrease in the serum or plasma levels of total antioxidants in animals exposed to gamma rays, protons or HZE particles. These findings suggest that exposure to space radiation may compromise the capacity of the host antioxidant defense and that this adverse biological effect can be prevented at least partially by dietary supplementation with L-selenomethionine and antioxidants.     

Effects of dietary supplements on the space radiation-induced reduction in total antioxidant status in CBA mice

In the present study, the total antioxidant status was used as a biomarker to evaluate oxidative stress induced by proton, HZE-particle and gamma radiation in CBA mice. The results demonstrated that the plasma level of TAS was significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in CBA mice after exposure to a 50-cGy dose of radiation from HZE particles or a 3-Gy dose of radiation from protons or gamma rays. Diet supplementation with Bowman-Birk Inhibitor Concentrate (BBIC), L-selenomethionine (L-SeM), or a combination of N-acetyl cysteine, sodium ascorbate, co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ10), alpha-lipoic acid, L-SeM and vitamin E succinate could partially or completely prevent the reduction in the plasma level of TAS in CBA mice exposed to proton or HZE-particle radiation. The selected antioxidant combination with or without CoQ10 has a comparable protective effect on the gamma-radiation-induced drop in TAS in CBA mice. These results indicate that BBIC, L-SeM and the selected antioxidant combinations may serve as countermeasures for space radiation-induced adverse biological effects.     

Regulatory role of low-intensity laser radiation on the status of the antioxidant system

On the base of modern literary data it is shown that low level laser red radiation can render the manifested effect on the activity of main antioxidant enzymes. It is determined that the main enzymes of antioxidant system--superoxide dismutase, catalase, ceruloplasmine--absorb in the red part of spectrum and are capable to be reactive under some regimes of red low level laser irradiation. It is one of the main possible mechanisms of biological efficiency of low level red laser radiation of the red part of spectrum.     

Some radiobiological effects in higher plants growing on the territory of the East Ural Radioactive Trace

The spontaneous level of cytogenetic damage in three plant species (Achyrophorus maculatus (Scop.) L.; Plantago lanceolata L.; and Plantago media L.) growing on the territory of the East Ural Radioactive Trace is studied. The radiation resistance of plants from radioactive and control nonpolluted sites is determined. The effects of additional fractionated irradiation at different doses and the role of antioxidant systems in the formation of the radioprotector effect are examined. It is shown that the level of the mutation process in the plant population growing at the radiation polluted sites is increased compared to the control populations from nonpolluted territories. Additional acute γ irradiation of seeds collected from polluted and nonpolluted territories demonstrates improved radiation resistance of the plants from the polluted territory. In the control population of A. maculatus in the versions with a one-hour interval between fractions, the radiation effect follows the additivity principle; at the same time, at a one-day interval between fractions, a highly significant radioprotective effect is manifested clearly in the experimental population. For higher plants, the enhanced effectiveness of the functioning of the antioxidant systems in plants growing on territories contaminated with radiation is shown for the first time. Thus, the radioprotector mechanisms of low-dose chronic and preliminary irradiation are similar and one of these mechanisms is activation of the antioxidant systems in plants growing under conditions of chronic low-intensity irradiation for long periods of time.     

Oxidative stress associated with exercise,psychological stress and life-style factors

Oxidative stress is a cellular or physiological condition of elevated concentrations of reactive oxygen species that cause molecular damage to vital structures and functions. Several factors influence the susceptibility to oxidative stress by affecting the antioxidant status or free oxygen radical generation. Here, we review the effect of alcohol, air pollution, cigarette smoke, diet, exercise, non-ionizing radiation (UV and microwaves) and psychological stress on the development of oxidative stress.Regular exercise and carbohydrate-rich diets seem to increase the resistance against oxidative stress. Air pollution, alcohol, cigarette smoke, non-ionizing radiation and psychological stress seem to increase oxidative stress. Alcohol in lower doses may act as an antioxidant on low density lipoproteins and thereby have an anti-atherosclerotic property.     

Role of salicylic acid in regulating ultraviolet radiation-induced oxidative stress in pepper leaves

The effect of salicylic acid (SA) counteracting the UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C-induced action on pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) plants was studied. For this purpose, the activities of antioxidant enzymes (peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, and glutathione reductase) were measured. Plants were sprayed with SA and treated with UV-A (320–390 nm), UV-B (312 nm), and UV-C (254 nm) radiation with a density of 6.1, 5.8, and 5.7 W/m². The activities of antioxidant enzymes were enhanced in leaves in response to UV-B and UV-C radiation. SA treatment moderated an increase in the activities of some antioxidant enzymes (peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, and glutathione reductase) in plants that were treated with UV radiation. The activity of antioxidant enzyme polyphenol oxidase in plants that were treated with UV-B, UV-C, and SA was significantly increased. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible protective effect of SA treatment on UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C stress.     

Stimulated repopulation as a basis of antimutagenesis and the adaptive response in plants

Wheat seeds were used to study (1) modification of the radiation adaptive response (AR) with antioxidant anphen and (2) modification of the clustogenic effect of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) with various agents. Pretreatment with anphen enhanced AR. Each pretreatment (irradiation with 0.25 Gy, treatment with anphen, treatment with anphen followed by irradiation with 0.25 Gy) decreased aberration frequency. This parameter proved to be in a linear dependence with mitotic index (MI) with correlation coefficient -0.978; the regression line passed through the point corresponding to spontaneous MI and spontaneous aberration frequency. Upon treatment with MNU, the antimutagenic effect was observed for various pretreatments (a low concentration of MNU, antioxidant phenoxan, irradiation with 0.25 Gy). Again, MI and aberration frequency were in inverse proportion with correlation coefficient -0.99, and the regression line passed through the point with spontaneous MI and spontaneous aberration frequency. The same dependence was observed for previously published data on modification of radiation AR with phenoxan. The results were hard to explain in terms of the repair-associated mechanism of AR and the antimutagenic effect. Hence, a nonspecific inducible process of stimulated repopulation was assumed to be a common mechanism of AR and the antimutagenic effect in plants.     

增强UV-C辐射作用下小麦和豌豆幼苗光合响应及其相对抗性

以小麦和豌豆为材料,研究了UV-C辐射(波长<280 nm)对叶片光合特性及抗氧化酶活性的影响.结果表明: UV-C辐射增强,可使豌豆叶片光合速率减弱,气孔导度、胞间CO₂浓度、蒸腾速率和羧化效率明显降低,而对小麦叶片上述各项指标的影响则是先增加、后降低;在UV-C辐射下,豌豆的CO₂补偿点逐渐升高,而小麦的CO₂补偿点先降低、后升高.UV-C辐射除了使豌豆的POD活性和小麦的SOD活性逐渐降低外,其他抗氧化酶活性则呈先升高、后降低的变化趋势.小麦对短时间UV-C辐射的抗性比豌豆强,但随着UV-C辐射时间的延长,小麦和豌豆的抗氧化酶活性均降低,光合作用减弱.     

Evaluation of parameters of oxidative stress after in vitro exposure to FMCW- and CDMA-modulated radiofrequency radiation fields

The goal of this study was to determine whether radiofrequency (RF) radiation is capable of inducing oxidative stress or affecting the response to oxidative stress in cultured mammalian cells. The two types of RF radiation investigated were frequency-modulated continuous-wave with a carrier frequency of 835.62 MHz (FMCW) and code division multiple access centered on 847.74 MHz (CDMA). To evaluate the effect of RF radiation on oxidative stress, J774.16 mouse macrophage cells were stimulated with gamma-interferon (IFN) and bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) prior to exposure. Cell cultures were exposed for 20-22 h to a specific absorption rate of 0.8 W/kg at a temperature of 37.0 +/- 0.3 degrees C. Oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring oxidant levels, antioxidant levels, oxidative damage and nitric oxide production. Oxidation of thiols was measured by monitoring the accumulation of glutathione disulfide (GSSG). Cellular antioxidant defenses were evaluated by measuring superoxide dismutase activity (CuZnSOD and MnSOD) as well as catalase and glutathione peroxidase activity. The trypan blue dye exclusion assay was used to measure any changes in viability. The results of these studies indicated that FMCW- and CDMA-modulated RF radiation did not alter parameters indicative of oxidative stress in J774.16 cells. FMCW- and CDMA-modulated fields did not alter the level of intracellular oxidants, accumulation of GSSG or induction of antioxidant defenses in IFN/LPS-stimulated cells. Consistent with the lack of an effect on oxidative stress parameters, no change in toxicity was observed in J774.16 cells after either optimal (with or without inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase) or suboptimal stimulation.     

Stimulated Repopulation as a Basis of Antimutagenesis and the Adaptive Response in Plants

Wheat seeds were used to study (1) modification of the radiation adaptive response (AR) with antioxidant anphen and (2) modification of the clustogenic effect of N-nitroso-N-methylurea (NMU) with various agents. Pretreatment with anphen enhanced AR. Each pretreatment (irradiation with 0.25 Gy, treatment with anphen, treatment with anphen followed by irradiation with 0.25 Gy) decreased aberration frequency. This parameter proved to be in a linear dependence with mitotic index (MI) with correlation coefficient –0.978; the regression line passed through the point corresponding to spontaneous MI and spontaneous aberration frequency. Upon treatment with NMU, the antimutagenic effect was observed for various pretreatments (a low concentration of NMU, antioxidant phenoxan, irradiation with 0.25 Gy). Again, MI and aberration frequency were in inverse proportion with correlation coefficient –0.99, and the regression line passed through the point with spontaneous MI and spontaneous aberration frequency. The same dependence was observed for previously published data on modification of radiation AR with phenoxan. The results were hard to explain in terms of the repair-associated mechanism of AR and the antimutagenic effect. Hence, a nonspecific inducible process of stimulated repopulation was assumed to be a common mechanism of AR and the antimutagenic effect in plants.     

Gamma irradiated chitosan and its derivatives as antioxidants for minced chicken

Ionizing radiation and oxidizing agent like H₂O₂ were used to degrade chitosan (CS) and its derivatives; N-maleoylchitosan (NMCS), and N-phthaloylchitosan (NPhCS). The structure changes were detected using gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The results revealed that ionizing radiation degraded CS, MNCS, NPhCS and altered their molecular weights and antioxidant activity. The higher the irradiation dose, the lower the molecular weight and the higher antioxidant activity. The addition of irradiated CS and NMCS to minced chicken resulted in highly significant reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) content (50 and 70%, respectively) if compared with the control. The irradiated NMCS toxicity study did not show strong proliferative effect at small concentrations or cytotoxic effects at higher concentrations. The obtained results suggested that CS and NMCS could be used as natural antioxidant for improving the oxidative deterioration of minced chicken during refrigerated storage.     

不同灌水量下限对高羊茅绿期及抗寒性生理指标的影响

采用盆栽试验的方法,研究了秋末冬初不同灌水量下限\[分别占田间持水量(FC)的80%、70%、60%、50%\]对高羊茅绿期及抗寒性生理指标的影响.结果表明：在冬季低温条件下,80%和70%FC灌水处理使高羊茅叶片相对含水量、保护酶(SOD、POD和CAT)活性、叶绿素、可溶性糖和游离脯氨酸含量维持在较高水平,丙二醛含量和电解质外渗率降低,高羊茅的抗寒性增强.80%FC灌水处理分别较70%、60%和50%FC处理的草坪草绿期延长4、22和28 d,到达枯黄休眠的时间最晚,完成返青的时间最早.综合考虑节水和提高水分利用效率等多种因素,70%FC灌水处理为高羊茅秋末冬初季节最佳的灌水下限.     

Evaluation of the antioxidant effects of carotenoids from Deinococcus radiodurans through targeted mutagenesis, chemiluminescence, and DNA damage analyses

Deinococcus radiodurans is highly resistant to reactive oxygen species (ROS). The antioxidant effect of carotenoids in D. radiodurans was investigated by using a targeted mutation of the phytoene synthase gene to block the carotenoid synthesis pathway and by evaluating the survival of cells under environmental stresses. The colorless mutant R1DeltacrtB of D. radiodurans failed to synthesize carotenoids, and was more sensitive to ionizing radiation, hydrogen peroxide, and desiccation than the wild type, suggesting that carotenoids in D. radiodurans help in combating environmental stresses. Chemiluminescence analyses showed that deinoxanthin, a major product in the carotenoid synthesis pathway, had significantly stronger scavenging ability on H2O2 and singlet oxygen than two carotenes (lycopene and beta-carotene) and two xanthophylls (zeaxanthin and lutein). Deinoxanthin also exhibited protective effect on DNA. Our findings suggest that the stronger antioxidant effect of deinoxanthin contribute to the resistance of D. radiodurans. The higher antioxidant effect of deinoxanthin may be attributed to its distinct chemical structure which has an extended conjugated double bonds and the presence of a hydroxyl group at C-1' position, compared with other tested carotenoids.     

dl-alpha-Tocopheryl succinate enhances the effect of gamma-irradiation on neuroblastoma cells in culture

The effect of dl-alpha-tocopheryl (vitamin E) succinate in modifying the radiation response of mouse neuroblastoma (NBP2) and mouse fibroblast (L-cells) cells in culture was studied on the criterion of growth inhibition (due to cell death and inhibition of cell division). Results show that vitamin E succinate markedly enhanced the effect of 60CO-gamma-irradiation on NB cells, but it did not significantly modify the effect of irradiation on mouse fibroblasts. Sodium succinate plus ethanol (0.25% final concentration) did not modify the radiation response of NB cells or fibroblasts. Butylated hydroxyanisole, a lipid soluble antioxidant, also enhanced the effect of irradiation on NB cells, indicating that the effect of vitamin E in modifying the radiation response may be mediated, in part, by antioxidation mechanisms.     

The influence of electromagnetic radiation of extremely high frequencies on the pro- and antioxidant status of blood in experiments

The influence of electromagnetic radiation of extremely high frequencies in the noise mode on the level of the activity of proand antioxidant systems in a model of skin-flap ischemia was studied in vivo. Rats of the Wistar line were used in this work. The cutaneous reflex projection field of the animals was exposed once a day for 7 days in the post-operative period to electromagnetic radiation of an extremely high frequency in the range from 53.57 to 78.33 GHz with a dose of 1.2 mJ in the noise mode. The dynamics of proand antioxidant protection were compared to those of intact animals that were not irradiated. Using data on induced biochemiluminescence and estimation of malondialdehyde activity it was shown that irradiation in a course mode contributed to a decrease in the intensity of lipid peroxidation. In parallel we observed an increase in the total antioxidant reserves of blood and the activity of bioradical protection enzymes. Our findings suggest that electromagnetic radiation at extremely high frequencies in a noise mode has a regulatory impact on the state of proand antioxidant systems of the body; this can be used for the correction of postoperative ischemic disorders and the restoration of disturbed homeostasis.     

一氧化氮对UV-B辐射增强条件下燕麦幼苗氧化损伤的缓解作用

以燕麦品种“定燕2号”和“晋燕14号”为研究材料,研究紫外线B（ultraviolet rays-B, UV-B）辐射增强条件下,一氧化氮（nitric oxide, NO）供体硝普钠（sodium nitroprusside, SNP）对燕麦幼苗活性氧含量、膜脂过氧化和抗氧化物质含量的影响。结果表明：NO能够降低UV-B辐射增强条件下“定燕2号”和“晋燕14号”的超氧阴离子（superoxide radical, O₂^·-）产生速率、羟自由基（hydroxyl free radical, OH^·）、过氧化氢（hydrogen peroxide, H₂O₂）和丙二醛（malondialdehyde, MDA）含量。UV-B辐射时间为6 h,施加SNP时,“定燕2号”的超氧化物歧化酶（superoxide dismutase, SOD）活性和过氧化物酶（peroxidase, POD）活性、“晋燕14号”的SOD活性高于其他处理组;UV-B辐射时间为3 h,施加SNP时,“定燕2号”、“晋燕14号”的抗坏血酸过氧化物酶（ascorbate peroxidase, APX）活性显著高于0 h、12 h处理组。UV-B辐射时间为6 h,“定燕2号”的脱氢抗坏血酸（dehydroascorbic acid, DHA）含量显著高于其他处理组;而UV-B辐射时间为0 h,“晋燕14号”的DHA 含量显著高于其他处理组。NO对UV-B辐射增强下“定燕2号”和“晋燕14号”抗氧化性影响的综合测评均为：3 h>6 h>12 h>0 h。本研究结果为NO在燕麦育种、抗氧化机制等提供理论依据。     

Modulation of glutathione and antioxidant enzymes by Ocimum sanctum and its role in protection against radiation injury

Aqueous extract (OE) of the leaves of Ocimum sanctum, the Indian holy basil, has been found to protect mouse against radiation lethality and chromosome damage and to possess significant antioxidant activity in vitro. Therefore a study was conducted to see if OE protects against radiation induced lipid peroxidation in liver and to determine the role, if any, of the inherent antioxidant system in radioprotection by OE. Adult Swiss mice were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with 10 mg/kg of OE for 5 consecutive days and exposed to 4.5 Gy of gamma radiation 30 min after the last injection. Glutathione (GSH) and the antioxidant enzymes glutathione transferase (GST), reductase (GSRx), peroxidase (GSPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), as well as lipid peroxide (LPx) activity were estimated in the liver at 15 min, 30 min, 1, 2, 4 and 8 hr post-treatment. LPx was also studied after treatment with a single dose of 50 mg/kg of OE with/without irradiation. OE itself increased the GSH and enzymes significantly above normal levels whereas radiation significantly reduced all the values. The maximum decline was at 30-60 min for GSH and related enzymes and at 2 hr for SOD. Pretreatment with the extract checked the radiation induced depletion of GSH and all the enzymes and maintained their levels within or above the control range. Radiation significantly increased the lipid peroxidation rate, reaching a maximum value at 2 hr after exposure (approximately 3.5 times that of control). OE pretreatment significantly (P < 0.0001) reduced the lipid peroxidation and accelerated recovery to normal levels. The results indicate that Ocimum extract protects against radiation induced lipid peroxidation and that GSH and the antioxidant enzymes appear to have an important role in the protection.