Yang Y, Li B, Liu C, Chuai Y, Lei J, Gao F, Cui J, Sun D, Cheng Y, Zhou C, Cai J. Hydrogen-rich saline protects immunocytes from radiation-induced apoptosis.
Med Sci Monit 2012;
18:BR144-8. [PMID:
22460088 PMCID:
PMC3560832 DOI:
10.12659/msm.882616]
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Abstract
Background
Radiation often causes depletion of immunocytes in tissues and blood, which results in immunosuppression. Molecular hydrogen (H2) has been shown in recent studies to have potential as a safe and effective radioprotective agent through scavenging free radicals. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that H2 could protect immunocytes from ionizing radiation (IR).
Material/Methods
H2 was dissolved in physiological saline or medium using an apparatus produced by our department. A 2-[6-(4′-hydroxy) phenoxy-3H-xanthen-3-on-9-yl] benzoate (HPF) probe was used to detect intracellular hydroxyl radicals (•OH). Cell apoptosis was evaluated by annexin V-FITC and Propidium iodide (PI) staining as well as the caspase 3 activity. Finally, we examined the hematological changes using an automatic Sysmex XE 2100 hematology analyzer.
Results
We demonstrated H2-rich medium pretreatment reduced •OH level in AHH-1 cells. We also showed H2 reduced radiation-induced apoptosis in thymocytes and splenocytes in living mice. Radiation-induced caspase 3 activation was also attenuated by H2 treatment. Finally, we found that H2 rescued the radiation-caused depletion of white blood cells (WBC) and platelets (PLT).
Conclusions
This study suggests that H2 protected the immune system and alleviated the hematological injury induced by IR.
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