Countermeasures against space radiation induced oxidative stress in mice.
Of particular concern for the health of astronauts during space travel is radiation from protons and high atomic number (Z), high energy particles (HZE particles). Space radiation is known to induce oxidative stress in astronauts after extended space flight. In the present study, the total antioxidant status was used as a biomarker to evaluate oxidative stress induced by proton and HZE particle radiation in the plasma of CBA mice and the protective effect of dietary supplement agents. The results indicate that exposure to proton and HZE particle radiation significantly decreased the plasma level of total antioxidants in the irradiated CBA mice. Dietary supplementation with L: -selenomethionine (SeM) or a combination of selected antioxidant agents (which included SeM) could partially or completely prevent the decrease in the total antioxidant status in the plasma of animals exposed to proton or HZE particle radiation. These findings suggest that exposure to space radiation may compromise the capacity of the host antioxidant defense system; this adverse biological effect can be prevented at least partially by dietary supplementation with agents expected to have effects on antioxidant activities.
Kennedy
A R
AR
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 195 John Morgan Building, 3620 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6072, USA. akennedy@mail.med.upenn.edu
Guan
J
J
Ware
J H
JH
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003359:Cosmic Radiation; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D020450:Heavy Ions; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011522:Protons; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*
D000975:Antioxidants; D011522:Protons; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species