Carnosine may reduce lung injury caused by radiation therapy.
Ionising radiation is known one of the most effective tools in the therapy of cancer but in many thoracic cancers, the total prescribed dose of radiation that can be safely administered to the target volume is limited by the risk of complications arising in the normal lung tissue. One of the major reasons for cellular injury after radiation is the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Radiation pneumonitis is an acute phase side-effect which generally subsides after a few weeks and is followed by a chronic phase characterized by inflammation and fibrosis, that can develop months or years after irradiation. Carnosine is a dipeptide composed by the amino acids beta-histidine and l-alanine. The exact biological role of carnosine is not totally understood, but several studies have demonstrated that it possesses strong and specific antioxidant properties, protects against radiation damage,and promotes wound healing. The antioxidant mechanism of carnosine is attributed to its chelating effect against metal ions, superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity, ROS and free radicals scavenging ability . Either its antioxidant or anti-inflammatuar properties, we propose that carnosine ameliorates irradiation-induced lung injury. Thus, supplementing cancer patients to whom applied radiation therapy with carnosine, may provide an alleviation of the symptoms due to radiation-induced lung injury. This issue warrants further studies.
Guney
Yildiz
Y
Ankara University School of Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, Cebeci Hospital, Dikimevi, Turkey. yildiz_guney@yahoo.com
Turkcu
Ummuhani Ozel
UO
Hicsonmez
Ayse
A
Andrieu
Meltem Nalca
MN
Guney
H Zafer
HZ
Bilgihan
Ayse
A
Kurtman
Cengiz
C
D002336:Carnosine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D003198:Computer Simulation; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D055370:Lung Injury; D018448:Models, Immunological; D017564:Radiation Pneumonitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000379:methods*; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013899:Thoracic Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000532:radiotherapy
D016207:Cytokines; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; D002336:Carnosine