title: [Radiation protection through cytokine release by N-acetylcysteine].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Interleukin-1, tumornecrosisfactor-alpha and interferon-gamma endogenously provide protection of the hematopoietic system against radiation. Thiols have already been used successfully as radioprotective agents. In this study the effect von N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on the release of interleukin-1 alpha and beta (IL-1), interleukin-2 (IL-2), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and tumornecrosisfactor-alpha (TNF-alpha) was assessed in an in vitro assay.
  
  
  METHODS
  Whole blood samples from 8 healthy volunteers were stimulated with 7.5 micrograms/ml PHA. NAC was added at concentrations of 0.6, 6, 12 and 24 mmol/l. Subsequently the samples were irradiated with a dose of 18 Gy according to preceding validation experiments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta b and IL-2: In comparison to stimulation and radiation alone the addition of 0.6 and 6 mmol/l, with IL-2 also 12 mmol/l, NAC resulted in a significant increase of the cytokine-concentrations. The highest concentration of 24 mmol/l NAC, however, resulted in a decrease beyond control levels. IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha: Until 12 mmol/l NAC no changes were observed. 24 mmol/l NAC resulted in a significant decrease, too.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  N-acetylcysteine is capable to co-stimulate radioprotective cytokines like IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta and to enhance IL-2 in vitro, whereas higher doses result in a suppression.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik der Ruhr-Universität Bochum.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Baier
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Neumann
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Moeller
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kissler
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Borchardt
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ricken
mesh_terms: D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000328:Adult; D001769:Blood / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000097:blood; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D007375:Interleukin-1; D007376:Interleukin-2; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D000111:Acetylcysteine
vernacular_title: Radioprotektion durch Zytokinfreisetzung unter N-Acetylcystein.