title: Radioprotection of mice by lactoferrin against irradiation with sublethal X-rays.
abstract: The influence of a host defense protein, lactoferrin (LF), contained in exocrine secretions such as milk, on radiation disorder was investigated. A total of 25 C3H/He mice in each of two groups were maintained with 0.1% LF-added and LF-free diets, respectively, for one month. The mice were then treated with single whole-body X-ray irradiation at a sublethal dose (6.8 Gy), and the survival rate after irradiation was investigated. The survival rate at 30 d after irradiation was relatively higher in the LF group than in the control group (LF-free), (85 and 62%, respectively). The body weight 15 d after X-ray irradiation was also significantly greater in the LF group than in the control group. The hemoglobin level and hematocrit value were higher in the LF group at 5 d before X-ray irradiation. Another 52 mice underwent whole-body X-ray irradiation at the sublethal dose (6.8 Gy), and then LF was intraperitoneally injected once at 4 mg/animal to half of them. The survival rate in LF-treated mice 30 d after irradiation was 92%, significantly higher than in mice treated with saline (50%) (P = 0.0012). In addition, LF showed hydroxyl radical scavenger activity in vitro. These findings suggest that LF may inhibit radiation damage.
authors: Fundamental Technology Center, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba 263-8555, Japan.
authors: Yoshikazu
authors: Y
authors: Nishimura
authors: Shino
authors: S
authors: Homma-Takeda
authors: Hee-Sun
authors: HS
authors: Kim
authors: Izuru
authors: I
authors: Kakuta
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D007781:Lactoferrin
keywords: lactoferrin; mice; radioprotection; sub-lethal X-ray irradiation