Dependence of radioprotective activity of chitosan on its molecular mass

The influence of chitosan molecular mass (70, 10 and 5 kDa) on its radioprotective efficiency in mice experiments was studied. It was shown that chitosans with molecular masses of 70 and 10 kDa had similar radioprotective properties. The survival of mice increased up to 73% and 87% respectively at intravenous injection 15-30 min before a whole-body exposure to 137Cs gamma-radiation at a dose of 8 Gy (Cd97/30). Practically absolute loss of radioprotective activity occurred below a threshold of about 10 kDa. The results showed a high chitosan radioprotective activity in a wider range of molecular masses than it was supposed earlier.     

Characterization of the amino acids essential for the photo- and radioprotective effects of a Bowman-Birk protease inhibitor-derived nonapeptide

The Bowman-Birk protease inhibitor has been reported to exert photo- and radioprotective activity. This effect was assigned to a cyclic nonapeptide sequence which is known to contain the amino acids responsible for the anti-chymotryptic activity of the BBI. The present study indicated that linearization of the nonapeptide resulted in a significant loss of anti-proteolytic activity, whereas the photo- and radioprotective capacity persisted. Substitution of the amino acids Leu or Ser of the nonapeptide, essential for the anti-proteolytic activity, with different amino acids, indicated that rather the hydrophobic features of the amino acids in this position than charge are critical to retain the photo- and radioprotective effect. These results suggest the existence of a bifunctional peptide sequence with anti-proteolytic and photo-/radioprotective capacity. However, the lack of correlation between the photo-/radioprotective activity and the anti-proteolytic activity within the peptides generated by modification of the linear nonapeptide argues for the existence of two closely colocalized domains within the nonapeptide responsible for photo-/radioprotection and protease inhibition.     

Monoterpene’s multiple free radical scavenging capacity as compared with the radioprotective agent cysteamine and amifostine

Monoterpenes are major active components of lavender, thyme, and mint. The X-ray radioprotective activity of pure monoterpenes is attributed to their scavenging ability against active species, but so far no firm evidence has been demonstrated. The objective of this study is to quantitatively determine antioxidant abilities of monoterpenes and collate it with radioprotective activity. Using multiple free-radical scavenging (MULTIS) method, we have determined the scavenging abilities of monoterpenes (linalool, thymol, and menthol) against six active species. A previous study has shown that the monoterpene linalool is a radioprotector for cellular systems, therefore, its scavenging ability was compared with known radioprotective agents such as cysteamine and amifostine. Results indicated that the monoterpene menthol but not linalool is a potent scavenger of reactive oxygen species and its scavenging magnitude is comparable to cysteamine and amifostine. This paper is first to show a correlation between ROS scavenging ability and radioprotective action.     

Effect of hyperthermia on the radioprotective action of cysteamine and isoproterenol

Heating of mouse bone marrow cells up to 42 degrees C was shown to increase their radiosensitivity (DMF = 0.80 +/- 0.12). At this temperature, the radioprotective efficiency of cysteamine was lost completely (DMF = 0.78 +/- 0.09), and radioprotective activity of d,l-isoproterenol significantly decreased (DMF declined from 2.41 +/- 0.23 to 1.67 +/- 0.16). It is assumed that the radioprotective effect of cysteamine on mammalian cells is associated with the processes of the postirradiation DNA repair for just these processes are inhibited by heating. The mechanism of action of a beta-agonist of isoproterenol is perhaps only partially associated with DNA repair.     

Development of a photosensitive, high-throughput chip-based superoxide dismutase (SOD) assay to explore the radioprotective activity of herbal plants

Appropriate pharmacological interventions and modalities are needed to protect humans against the deleterious effects of ionizing radiation. We disclose a rapid chip-based approach to elucidate the radioprotective/antioxidant potential of herbal plants using a photodiode array (PDA) microchip system. Red light absorption property of nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) formazan was applied to chip-based superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity measurements of six herbal plant extracts in a high-throughput manner. SOD activities obtained via gel-based assays were in line with the data obtained through the chip-based assay and hence validated our approach. Compared to amifostine, all the tested herbal plant extracts, except apricot kernel, demonstrated greater radioprotective properties. Among the tested herbal extracts, pueraria root showed the highest antioxidant/radioprotective activity and can be considered a preferred radioprotector candidate. Low standard deviations and high statistical confidence obtained during the assay prove the sensitivity and consistency of this approach. The developed approach has several advantages (simplicity, rapidness and portability) over existing methods and can be applied to high-throughput screening of the radioprotective properties of various unexplored plants species.     

Synthesis and growth regulatory activity of a prototype member of a new family of aminothiol radioprotectors

The synthesis, growth inhibition and radioprotective activity of the PrC-210 aminothiol, 3-(methylamino)-2-((methylamino)methyl)propane-1-thiol, and its polyamine and thiolated polyamine progenitors are reported. All of the molecules significantly inhibited growth of cultured normal human fibroblasts. The combination of an ROS-scavenging thiol group and a positively charged alkyl-amine backbone provided the most radioprotective aminothiol molecule.     

WR-2721, its derivatives and their radioprotective effects on mammalian cells in culture

Although it is well known that WR-2721 is very efficient in protecting mice against lethal irradiation, we could not find any radioprotective effect of WR-2721 on mouse L cells in culture. But WR-1065 alone (free SH form of WR-2721), and WR-2721 pre-incubated with mouse liver homogenate, showed radioprotective ability. It was found that mouse liver homogenate dephosphorylated WR-2721 to WR-1065. The highest WR-2721 metabolizing activity was found in mouse liver homogenate and Chang liver cell homogenate. Homogenates of human liver and kidney were also shown to possess moderate activity for metabolizing WR-2721. These results suggest to us that WR-2721 must be dephosphorylated before exerting its radioprotective effect and that this dephosphorylating activity varies with tissues. It is demonstrated therefore that mouse L cell in culture is a novel system to assess the extent of dephosphorylation of WR-2721 in various tissues.     

Effect of isothiuronium alkylamidines and adeturon on the activity of lactate dehydrogenase and its isoenzymes in rat blood serum and organs

A study was made of the effect of four types of S-omega-carboxamidinoalkyl isothiourea, differing in the carbon chain length between amidine and isothiuronium groups, and adeturon on activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDG) and its isoenzymes in blood serum and organs of rats. Adeturon and compounds with one and three methylene groups elicit a radioprotective effect whereas substances with an even number of methylene groups have no such an effect. The obtained data indicate that changes in activity of LDG and its isoenzymes depend upon the structure of the substance applied. This makes LDG an adequate model in comparative studying the specificity of biochemical effects induced by the radioprotective agents and substances similar in their structure but having no radioprotective efficiency.     

The effect of radioprotective preparations on the system of active transport. Mitochondrial ATPase

The effects in vivo and in vitro of the radioprotective agents (MEA, AET, serotonin, dopamine, and histamine) on mitochondrial ATPase activity of rat brain and liver have been investigated. The enzyme activity has been found to be inhibited for the most. Possible mechanisms of the effects observed are discussed.     

Radioprotective properties of indralin combined with cystamine and mexamine

The radioprotective properties of indralin when it is used in combination with cystamine and mexamine are studied in inbred mice and rats. The mice and rats are irradiated with γ rays emitted by ⁶⁰Co at doses of 9.0 and 9.5 Gy, respectively. A combined parenteral administration of indralin and cystamine in mice at doses of 25 mg/kg each is revealed to potentiate the radioprotective properties of indralin up to a level close to the ED₅₀ effect, while the separate application of these drugs in doses of 25 mg/kg each has no or a very weak radioprotective effect. Indralin (50 mg/kg) and mexamine (12 mg/kg) injected intraperitoneally in rats are found to almost completely eliminate the animal mortality caused by gastrointestinal acute radiation syndrome; the mortality in the control radiation group reaches 60% on the seventh day after the animals have been exposed to radiation at a dose of 9.5 Gy. However, if bone-marrow acute radiation syndrome develops under the above condition of super-lethal dose, the radioprotectors have a low radioprotective effect. Under the this condition, the combined application of indralin and mexamine in the same doses has 50% of radioprotective effect reached by applying these radioprotectors separately in double doses.     

Shigella antigens in early pathogenetic therapy of experimental acute radiation sickness

In experiments on gamma-irradiated hamsters it is shown that antigens, obtained from Sh. flexneri and sonnei by the sparing method, have a radioprotective therapeutic action. The antigens exhibit the immunostimulating activity which is perhaps one of the aspects of the mechanism involved in the formation of resistance to infectious complications in irradiated animals and of the favourable radioprotective effect.     

Kojic acid and its manganese and zinc complexes as potential radioprotective agents

The naturally occurring fungal metabolite kojic acid and its manganese and zinc complexes have been evaluated as potential radioprotectors in mice. Their toxicity and radioprotective activity (survival rate) have been determined and compared with that of WR-2721 (amifostine). The results of in vivo radioprotection showed that these compounds exhibited significant radioprotective effects against lethal dose of gamma-irradiation in mice.     

Radioprotective effect of vitamins C and E

Albino rats were treated with aqueous vitamin C solution and vitamin E solution dissolved in olive oil at two concentrations, 100 and 300 mg/kg/day, for 6 months. Some of the animals were then subjected to whole-body irradiation. Chromosomal aberrations and mitotic activity in non-irradiated and irradiated groups were recorded. Both vitamins were found to be non-mutagenic. Vitamins C exerted a radioprotective effect but vitamin E was not radioprotective and it suppressed the radioprotection otherwise produced by olive oil.     

Effect of agents for the chemical prevention of radiation sickness on the cyclic nucleotide content in the bone marrow of mice

The effect of different chemical compounds on the cAMP/cGMP ratio in the bone marrow of mice and radioresistance of animals has been studied. It has been shown that all compounds possessing radioprotective properties give rise to the cAMP/cGMP ratio in the bone marrow of mice. No changes in cAMP and cGMP level were noted after the administration of nonradioprotective substances. The maximal radioprotective effect coincide in time with the largest increase of the cAMP/cGMP ratio. The injection of radioprotectors at different doses demonstrate clearly that only at radioprotective doses the increase in the cAMP/cGMP ratio takes place. The administration of some substances 2, 15 and 60 min after the irradiation of mice shows that the radioprotective effect, though modest, was evident only in one case of elevated cAMP/cGMP ratio (the injection of 2-Mercaptoethylamine 2 min after the irradiation). Evident radioprotective effect occurs at the cAMP/cGMP ratio of about 170-200%; the ratio of about 130-140% corresponds to small radioprotection.     

Effect of electron and steric interactions on the radioprotective properties of indolylalkylamines

Molecular mechanisms of radioprotective action of some substituted indolylalkylamines are discussed in terms of the statistical correlation analysis. It was established that electron and steric properties of the substituents are the factors influencing the radioprotective efficiency of these compounds. It was shown that the correlation obtained, relating the structure of the compounds to the radioprotective effect, may be applied in studies of the mechanism of action of the preparations and for the purposeful synthesis of new compounds.     

Ganoderma lucidum total triterpenes prevent radiation-induced DNA damage and apoptosis in splenic lymphocytes in vitro

The development of radioprotective agents has been the subject of intense research, especially in the field of radiotherapy. In this study, we examined the radioprotective activity of the total triterpenes isolated from Ganoderma lucidum (Fr.) P. Karst in mouse splenic lymphocytes in vitro. Using the MTT assay, Ganoderma triterpenes were found to have no effect on cell viability, indicating that they are non-toxic to splenic lymphocytes. The effect of the total triterpenes on DNA damage and apoptosis induced by radiation was analyzed using the comet assay, DNA ladder assay and flow cytometric analysis. Total triterpenes were found to be highly effective in preventing DNA laddering, even at low concentrations (25μg/ml). The comet assay demonstrated that the G. triterpenes effectively prevented DNA damage, and flow cytometry revealed a reduction in apoptotic cells. The effect of the total triterpenes on intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and endogenous antioxidant enzyme activity in splenic lymphocytes were determined to elucidate possible radioprotective mechanisms. Total triterpenes successfully reduced the formation of intracellular ROS and enhanced endogenous antioxidant enzyme activity in splenic lymphocytes following irradiation. Thus, these findings indicate that the total triterpenes isolated from G. lucidum have a remarkable ability to protect normal cells from radiation-induced damage, which suggests therapeutic potential.     

Radioprotective properties of oxolinic acid

Oxolinic acid was shown to produce a radioprotective effect on mice and a therapeutic radioprotective action on rats and hamsters. As to radioprotective efficiency, oxolinic acid is inferior to such known sulfur-containing agents as indolylalkylamines and alpha-adrenomimetics. But oxolinic acid has an important advantage over them, that is, the increase in radioresistance it induces persists for several hours. The radioprotective effectiveness of oxolinic acid prompts that it is expedient to search for new radioprotective preparations among specific inhibitors of DNA polymerase of replicative synthesis.     

Amino acids and their derivatives as radioprotective agents

Summary Numerous amino acids and their analogs are capable of protecting biological systems from the toxic effects of ionizing radiation. These radioprotective agents can be classified into two broad groups, depending upon the presence or absence of a free or potentially free sulfhydryl group. The sulfhydryl-containing compounds have been studied extensively and are thought to exert their radioprotective effects by several mechanisms, including free radical scavenging and hydrogen atom donation. Several non-sulfhydryl-containing amino acids are also being investigated for their radioprotective effects. These agents are less well known than the familiar sulfhydryl compounds, but possess very interesting protective qualities. In short, the study of amino acids and their derivatives as radioprotective agents continues to contribute to an understanding of processes involved in radiation toxicity and to offer new compounds with potential application to situations of human exposure.     

Interleukin 1 is a radioprotector

Pretreatment with recombinant interleukin 1 (IL 1) protects mice in a dose-dependent manner from lethal effects of ionizing radiation. Two thousand units of IL 1, given i.p. 20 hr before irradiation, protect 88% of C57B1/6 mice from an LD100/17 radiation dose (dose of radiation that kills 100% mice in 17 days), and 1000 U of IL 1 protect 100% of DBA/1 mice from an LD50/30 dose. This finding provides the first evidence that a cytokine, IL 1, which acts as a differentiation- and maturation-inducing agent for a variety of cells, also can serve as a signal that initiates radioprotective events in vivo. Because many of the exogenous immunomodulators that have been shown to be radioprotective also induce endogenous IL 1 production, our observation suggests that IL 1 may mediate their radioprotective effects.