Radiation Damage

Studies conducted at H.H. Mansour et al on life sciences recently
published

Released : Thursday, March 20, 2008 6:52 PM

2008 MAR 28 - (NewsRx.com) -- Investigators publish new data in the
report 'Protective effect of N-acetylcysteine against radiation
induced DNA damage and hepatic toxicity in rats.' According to recent
research from Nasr City, Egypt, "The present study was designed to
evaluate the radioprotective effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on gamma-
radiation induced toxicity in hepatic tissue in rat (see also Life
Sciences). The cellular changes were estimated using malondialdehyde
(MDA, an index of lipid peroxidation), superoxide dismutase (SOD),
glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), reduced glutathione (GSH), and total
nitrate/nitrite (NO(x) as markers of hepatic oxidative stress in rats
following gamma-irradiation."

"The DNA damage was determined by agarose gel electrophoresis. To
achieve the ultimate goal of this study, 40 adult rats were randomly
divided into 4 groups of 10 animals each. Group I was injected
intraperitoneally with saline solution for 7 consecutive days and
served as control group. Group II was irradiated with a single dose of
6Gy gamma-radiation. Group III was daily injected with NAC (1g/kg,
i.p.) for 7 consecutive days. Group IV received a daily i.p. injection
of NAC (1g/kg, i.p.) for 7 consecutive days and 1h after the last
dose, rats were irradiated with a single dose (6Gy) gamma-radiation.
The animals were sacrificed after 24h. DNA damage was observed in
tissue after total body irradiation with a single dose of 6Gy.
Malondialdehyde and total nitrate/nitrite were increased significantly
whereas the levels of GSH and antioxidant enzymes were significantly
decreased in gamma-irradiated group. Pretreatment with NAC showed a
significant decrease in the levels of MDA, NO(x) and DNA damage. The
antioxidant enzymes increased significantly along with the levels of
GSH. Moreover, histopathological examination of liver tissues
confirmed the biochemical data," wrote H.H. Mansour and colleagues, .

The researchers concluded: "Thus, our results show that pretreatment
with N-acetylcysteine offers protection against gamma-radiation
induced cellular damage."

Mansour and colleagues published their study in Biochemical
Pharmacology (Protective effect of N-acetylcysteine against radiation
induced DNA damage and hepatic toxicity in rats. Biochemical
Pharmacology, 2008;75(3):773-80).

For additional information, contact H.H. Mansour, National Center for
Radiation Research and Technology, Health Radiation Research
Department, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt.

Publisher contact information for the journal Biochemical Pharmacology
is: Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd., the Boulevard, Langford Lane,
Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, England.

Copyright 2008 Drug Week via NewsRx.com

--------------------------------------------------


http://tinyurl.com/ynpdhm


"Iron-chelating agents, N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), apocynin,probucol,
and edaravone, are useful in preventing cardiovascular injury and
diseases."


Recent Patents on Anti-Infective Drug Discovery, 2006, 1,
17-31171574-891X/06 $100.00+.00(c) 2006 Bentham Science Publishers
Ltd.Recent Progress in Pharmacological Research of Antioxidants
inPathological Conditions: Cardiovascular Health



Who loves ya.
Tom


Jesus Was A Vegetarian!
http://tinyurl.com/2r2nkh


Man Is A Herbivore!
http://tinyurl.com/a3cc3


DEAD PEOPLE WALKING
http://tinyurl.com/zk9fk