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First published online February 2, 2009
British Journal of Radiology (2009) 82, 605-609
© 2009 British Institute of Radiology
doi: 10.1259/bjr/30930369
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British Journal of Radiology 82 (2009),605-609 ©2009 The British Institute of Radiology

Liposoluble antioxidants provide an effective radioprotective barrier

M ALCARAZ, MD 1 C ACEVEDO, MD 1 J CASTILLO, PhD 2 O BENAVENTE-GARCIA, PhD 2 D ARMERO, PhD 3 V VICENTE, MD 4 and M CANTERAS, MSc 5

1 Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain, 2 Research and Development Department, Nutrafur-Furfural Español SA, Murcia, Spain,, Departments of 3 Nursing, 4 Pathology and 5 Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine/Dentistry, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain

Correspondence: Prof. Miguel Alcaraz, Radiology and Physical Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine/Dentistry, University of Murcia, 30100-Espinardo (Murcia), Spain. E-mail: mab{at}um.es

Ionising radiation causes the massive generation of reactive oxygen species and induces cellular DNA damage. The antioxidant, protective effects of several compounds against {gamma}-ray-induced chromosomal damage were determined by the micronucleus test, evaluating the reduction in the frequency of micronuclei in cytokinesis-blocked human lymphocytes. The compounds studied were added to human blood at 25 µM, 5 min before or after irradiation with 2 Gy of caesium-137. The results suggest that different protective mechanisms are operating in each case. When the phenolic compounds are added before {gamma}-irradiation, their protective antimutagenic activity is based on their scavenging capacity against superoxide anion (O2·–) and, especially, hydroxyl radical (·OH), regardless of whether they are oil- or water-soluble compounds. When the phenolic compounds are added after {gamma}-irradiation treatment, the protective effect relies on activity against reactive oxygen species present in cells, i.e. lipoperoxy radicals (R–OO·), which are mainly responsible for continuous chromosomal oxidative damage. In addition, ionising radiation enhances lysosomal enzyme secretion and arachidonate release from membranes through lipo-oxygenase, cyclo-oxygenase and phospholipase activities, thus increasing the inflammatory cell response. Only oil-soluble compounds, such as carnosic acid, carnosol and {delta}-tocopherol, provide a significant protective antimutagenic activity. The most powerful water-soluble antioxidants lack the capacity to protect against {gamma}-ray-induced damage. The difference between anti-radical and anti-lipoperoxidant activities could explain the different behaviour of the compounds tested in terms of protecting against the lipid peroxidative processes. This anti-lipoperoxidant activity depends on several factors, but it is clear that only the lipo-antioxidants are effective in protecting human cells against oxidative damage, even when administered after exposure to ionising radiation.






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