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. 2017 May;17(2):e162-e167.
doi: 10.18295/squmj.2016.17.02.005. Epub 2017 Jun 20.

Prevention of γ-Radiation-Induced DNA Damage in Human Lymphocytes Using a Serine-Magnesium Sulfate Mixture

Vahid Changizi  1 , Mona Bahrami  1 , Mahbod Esfahani  2 , Seyed V Shetab-Boushehri  3   4
Affiliations

Prevention of γ-Radiation-Induced DNA Damage in Human Lymphocytes Using a Serine-Magnesium Sulfate Mixture

Vahid Changizi et al. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2017 May.

Abstract

Objectives: Ionising radiation has deleterious effects on human cells. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and cysteine, the active metabolite of NAC, are well-known radioprotective agents. Recently, a serine-magnesium sulfate combination was proposed as an antidote for organophosphate toxicity. This study aimed to investigate the use of a serine-magnesium sulfate mixture in the prevention of γ-radiation-induced DNA damage in human lymphocytes as compared to NAC and cysteine.

Methods: This study was carried out at the Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, between April and September 2016. Citrated blood samples of 7 mL each were taken from 22 healthy subjects. Each sample was divided into 1 mL aliquots, with the first aliquot acting as the control while the second was exposed to 2 Gy of γ-radiation at a dose rate of 102.7 cGy/minute. The remaining aliquots were separately incubated with 600 μM concentrations each of serine, magnesium sulfate, serine-magnesium sulfate, NAC and cysteine before being exposed to 2 Gy of γ-radiation. Lymphocytes were isolated using a separation medium and methyl-thiazole-tetrazolium and comet assays were used to evaluate cell viability and DNA damage, respectively.

Results: The serine-magnesium sulfate mixture significantly increased lymphocyte viability and reduced DNA damage in comparison to serine, magnesium sulfate, NAC or cysteine alone (P <0.01 each).

Conclusion: The findings of the present study support the use of a serine-magnesium sulfate mixture as a new, non-toxic, potent and efficient radioprotective agent.

Keywords: Cysteine; DNA Damage; Gamma Rays; Ionizing Radiation; Magnesium Sulfate; N-Acetylcysteine; Radioprotective Agents; Serine.

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICT OF INTEREST The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Chart showing mean lymphocyte viability in different experimental groups as a measure of radioprotection against γ-irradiation in human lymphocytes (N = 22). NAC = N-acetylcysteine; MgSO4 = magnesium sulfate. *Statistically significant difference in comparison to the control group (P <0.01). †Statistically significant difference in comparison to the γ-irradiation group (P <0.01). ‡Statistically significant difference in comparison to the serine group (P <0.01). §Statistically significant difference in comparison to the NAC group (P <0.01). Statistically significant difference in comparison to the cysteine group.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Chart showing mean tail moment in arbitrary units in different experimental groups as a measure of radioprotection against γ-irradiation in human lymphocytes (N = 22). NAC = N-acetylcysteine; MgSO4 = magnesium sulfate. *Statistically significant difference in comparison to the control group (P <0.01). †Statistically significant difference in comparison to the γ-irradiation group (P <0.05). ‡Statistically significant difference in comparison to the serine group (P <0.01). §Statistically significant difference in comparison to the NAC group (P <0.01). Statistically significant difference in comparison to the cysteine group.
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