title: Radio-protective role of antioxidant agents.
abstract: Ionizing radiation interacts with biological systems to produce reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species which attack various cellular components. Radio-protectors act as prophylactic agents to shield healthy cells and tissues from the harmful effects of radiation. Past research on synthetic radio-protectors has brought little success, primarily due to the various toxicity-related problems. Results of experimental research show that antioxidant nutrients, such as vitamin E and herbal products and melatonin, are protective against the damaging effects of radiation, with less toxicity and side effects. Therefore, we propose that in the future, antioxidant radio-protective agents may improve the therapeutic index in radiation oncology treatments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran;
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shirazi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Radiation Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran;
authors.forename: Ehsan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mihandoost
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran;
authors.forename: Seied Rabie
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Mahdavi
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Medical Physics, Faculty of Paramedicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.
authors.forename: Mehran
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mohseni
keywords: antioxidants; herbal radio-protectors; melatonin.; radio-protectors; vitamin E