Protection against radiation-induced oxidative stress in cultured human epithelial cells by treatment with antioxidant agents.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the protective effects of antioxidant agents against space radiation-induced oxidative stress in cultured human epithelial cells.


METHODS
The effects of selected concentrations of N-acetylcysteine, ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, co-enzyme Q10, alpha-lipoic acid, l-selenomethionine, and vitamin E succinate on radiation-induced oxidative stress were evaluated in MCF10 human breast epithelial cells exposed to radiation with X-rays, gamma-rays, protons, or high mass, high atomic number, and high energy particles using a dichlorofluorescein assay.


RESULTS
The results demonstrated that these antioxidants are effective in protecting against radiation-induced oxidative stress and complete or nearly complete protection was achieved by treating the cells with a combination of these agents before and during the radiation exposure.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination of antioxidants evaluated in this study is likely be a promising countermeasure for protection against space radiation-induced adverse biologic effects.
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
X Steven
XS
Wan
Jeffrey H
JH
Ware
Zhaozong
Z
Zhou
Jeremiah J
JJ
Donahue
Jun
J
Guan
Ann R
AR
Kennedy
D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D002478:Cells, Cultured / Q000528:radiation effects; D003067:Coenzymes; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D005452:Fluoresceins; D006801:Humans; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D011835:Radiation Protection; D012645:Selenomethionine / Q000494:pharmacology; D008063:Thioctic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D024505:Tocopherols; D014451:Ubiquinone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology
D000975:Antioxidants; D003067:Coenzymes; D005452:Fluoresceins; D014451:Ubiquinone; D014810:Vitamin E; C037631:2',7'-dichlorofluorescein; D008063:Thioctic Acid; D012645:Selenomethionine; C024989:coenzyme Q10; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; D024505:Tocopherols; D000111:Acetylcysteine