title: Beetroot (Beta vulgaris) rescues mice from γ-ray irradiation by accelerating hematopoiesis and curtailing immunosuppression.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Beetroot [Beta vulgaris Linné (Chenopodiaceae)], a vegetable usually consumed as a food or a medicinal plant in Europe, has been reported to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Since the lymphohematopoietic system is the most sensitive tissue to ionizing radiation, protecting it from radiation damage is one of the best ways to decrease detrimental effects from radiation exposure.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this study, we evaluated the radio-protective effects of beetroot in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and progenitor cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  Beetroot extract was administered at a dose of 400 mg/mouse per os (p.o.) three times into C57BL/6 mice and, at day 10 after γ-ray irradiation, diverse molecular presentations were measured and compared against non-irradiated and irradiated mice with PBS treatments. Survival of beetroot-fed and unfed irradiated animal was also compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Beetroot not only stimulated cell proliferation, but also minimized DNA damage of splenocytes. Beetroot also repopulated S-phase cells and increased Ki-67 or c-Kit positive cells in bone marrow. Moreover, beetroot-treated mice showed notable boosting of differentiation of HSCs into burst-forming units-erythroid along with increased production of IL-3. Also, beetroot-treated mice displayed enhancement in the level of hematocrit and hemoglobin as well as the number of red blood cell in peripheral blood. Beetroot diet improved survival rate of lethally exposed mice with a dose reduction factor (DRF) of 1.1.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that beetroot has the potency to preserve bone marrow integrity and stimulate the differentiation of HSCs against ionizing radiation.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Medical Research Institute , Jeju National University , Jeju , Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jinhee
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: a Department of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Medical Research Institute , Jeju National University , Jeju , Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: So Jin
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Bing
authors.affiliation: b Department of Advanced Convergence Technology & Science , Jeju National University , Jeju , Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Areum
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: c Department of Chemistry , Jeju National University , Jeju , Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Nam Ho
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: c Department of Chemistry , Jeju National University , Jeju , Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sang-Hee
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Byeon
authors.affiliation: d Jeju Diversity Research Institute , Seogwipo , Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Gi-Ok
authors.initials: GO
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: a Department of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Medical Research Institute , Jeju National University , Jeju , Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Youngheun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D027461:Beta vulgaris / Q000737:chemistry*; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005720:Gamma Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006397:Hematinics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006410:Hematopoiesis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007377:Interleukin-3 / Q000378:metabolism; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008517:Phytotherapy; D018517:Plant Roots; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000528:radiation effects; D013997:Time Factors; D014916:Whole-Body Irradiation / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D006397:Hematinics; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D007377:Interleukin-3; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents
keywords: Ionizing radiation; bone marrow cells; radioprotective effects; splenocytes