title: UV-B-induced generation of free radicals in blood platelets.
abstract: UV-B irradiation of blood-platelet concentrates is used in transfusion practice to prevent the development of post-transfusion alloimmunization and inactivate viruses and bacteria in the concentrates. UV-B radiation may affect the blood-platelet metabolism and function; therefore we have investigated the effect of UV-B irradiation on free radical production in blood platelets. Our results show that exposure of pig blood platelets to UV-B radiation (0.36 and 1.08 J/cm2) induces the generation of free radicals measured by the chemiluminescence method (respectively 28 and 148.6% above the control). The superoxide radical level after UV-B irradiation measured by the cytochrome c reduction method shows only a slight increase (p > 0.05). Free radical generation induced by UV-B radiation is dependent partly on blood-platelet activation and enzymatic pathways, since we have shown that wortmannin, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase, reduces the level of radicals formed in blood platelets after UV-B irradiation. This indicates that free radicals generated in blood platelets after stimulation by UV-B radiation are involved in platelet activation and metabolism of platelet polyphosphoinositides.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Biochemistry, University of Lodz, Poland. biochogl@biol.uni.lodz.pl
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bednarska
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wachowicz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Buczynski
mesh_terms: D000730:Androstadienes / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000097:blood; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D013552:Swine; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D000077191:Wortmannin
chemical_list: D000730:Androstadienes; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D005609:Free Radicals; D000077191:Wortmannin