• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제41권2호
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• pp.159-168
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• 2017

Background: Radiotherapy is one of the most important modalities in cancer treatment; however, normal tissue damage is a serious concern. Drug development for the protection or reduction of normal tissue damage is therefore a clinical issue. Herein, we evaluated the protective properties of Panax ginseng Meyer and its corresponding mechanisms. Methods: C56BL/6 mice were orally pretreated with P. ginseng water extract (PGE; 25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg, or 100 mg/kg) or intraperitoneally injected melatonin (20 mg/kg) for 4 d consecutively, then exposed to 15-Gy X-ray radiation 1 h after the last administration. After 10 d of irradiation, the biological properties of hematoxicity, fat accumulation, histopathology, oxidative stress, antioxidant activity, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and apoptosis signals were examined in the hepatic tissue. Results: The irradiation markedly induced myelosuppression as determined by hematological analysis of the peripheral blood. Steatohepatitis was induced by X-ray irradiations, whereas pretreatment with PGE significantly attenuated it. Oxidative stress was drastically increased, whereas antioxidant components were depleted by irradiation. Irradiation also notably increased serum liver enzymes and hepatic protein levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Those alterations were markedly normalized by pretreatment with PGE. The degree of irradiation-induced hepatic tissue apoptosis was also attenuated by pretreatment with PGE, which was evidenced by a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase 2'-deoxyuridine 5'-triphosphate nick-end labeling assay, western blotting, and gene expressions analysis, particularly of apoptotic molecules. Conclusion: We suggest that PGE could be applicable for use against radiation-induced liver injury, and its corresponding mechanisms involve the modulation of oxidative stress, inflammatory reactions, and apoptosis.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제44권7호
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• pp.970-974
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• 2015

본 연구는 BALB/c 마우스에서 감마선 조사 후 퀘르세틴을 7일 동안 경구 투여하여 감마선 조사로 인한 조혈계 및 간세포 손상에 대한 방사선 회복 효과를 검토하였다. 퀘르세틴을 투여한 군은 감마선 조사군에 비해 비장 및 흉선 지수, 백혈구 수치가 증가하여 조혈 면역계 손상에 대해 보호 효과가 있음을 확인하였다. 또한 ALT와 AST의 활성도 감마선 조사군에 비해 유의적으로 감소하여 간세포 손상에 대한 보호 효과를 확인하였다. 방사선 조사에 의해 체내에서 생성된 자유라디칼은 생체물질과 결합하여 지질과산화를 일으키고 산화적 스트레스를 유도하여 조직을 손상시킨다. 퀘르세틴을 투여한 군의 지질과산화는 감마선 조사군에 유의적으로 낮게 나타나 방사선에 의한 장애를 감소시켰으며, 항산화 효소도 감마선 조사군에 비해 유의적으로 증가하여 생체 내 항산화 활성도 회복시켰다. 이상의 결과를 통해 방사선 조사후에 퀘르세틴의 투여는 방사선에 의한 조혈계 및 간세포 손상에 대해 회복 효과가 있어 방사선 보호제로 유용하게 사용될 수 있다.

• 방사선산업학회지
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• 제7권2_3호
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• pp.141-147
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• 2013

The simple and facile radiation technique of the preparation of antibacterial biodegradable polymer films containing silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) was described. The biodegradable poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) films containing silver trifluoroacetate (Ag TFA) were prepared by a solvent casting method, and then the films were irradiated by electron beams at the various doses ranging from 20 to 200 kGy to form Ag NPs in the biodegradable polymers. The results of UV-vis and FE-SEM/EDX analyses revealed that the Ag NPs were successfully formed in the PBAT matrix during the electron beam irradiation, and their amounts were dependant on the absorbed dose and Ag TFA concentrations. Furthermore, on the basis of the results of the antibacterial test through disk diffusion and colony counting test, the irradiated PBAT/Ag TFA films exhibited the antibacterial property due to the formation of Ag NPs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권3호
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• pp.1325-1332
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• 2016

Radioprotective effects of ginger essential oil (GEO) on mortality, body weight alteration, hematological parameters, antioxidant status and chromosomal damage were studied in irradiated mice. Regression analysis of survival data in mice exposed to radiation yielded LD50/30 as 7.12 and 10.14 Gy for control (irradiation alone) and experimental (GEO-treated irradiated) mice, respectively, with a dose reduction factor (DRF) of 1.42. In mice exposed to whole-body gamma-irradiation (6 Gy), GEO pre-treatment at 100 and 500 mg/kg b.wt (orally) significantly ameliorated decreased hematological and immunological parameters. Radiation induced reduction in intestinal tissue antioxidant enzyme levels such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione was also reversed following administration of GEO. Tissue architecture of small intestine which was damaged following irradiation was improved upon administration of GEO. Anticlastogenic effects of GEO were studied by micronuclei assay, chromosomal aberration and alkaline gel electrophoresis assay. GEO significantly decreased the formation of micronuclei, increased the P/N ratio, inhibited the formation of chromosomal aberrations and protected agaisnt cellular DNA damage in bone marrow cells as revealed by comet assay. These results are supportive of use of GEO as a potential radioprotective compound.

• 설비공학논문집
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• 제15권6호
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• pp.543-550
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• 2003

In order to saving the energy for HVAC system of buildings, utilization of wind-induced cross ventilation is thought to be promising. However, utilization of natural ventilation alone is not sufficient for maintaining the human thermal-comfort such as in hot and humid regions. A hybrid air conditioning system with a controlled natural ventilation system, or combination of natural ventilation with mechanical air conditioning is thought to overcome the deficiency of wind-driven cross ventilation and to have significant effects on energy reduction. This paper describes a concept of hybrid system and propose a new type of hybrid system using radiational cooling with wind-induced cross ventilation. Moreover, a radiational cooling system is compared with an all-air cooling system. The characteristics of the indoor environment will be examined through CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulation, which is coupled with a radiation heat transfer simulation and with HVAC control in which the PMV value for the human model in the center of the room is controlled to attain the target value.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제21권6호
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• pp.683-687
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• 1998

We have examined in vitro and in vivo radioprotective effects of a well-known thiol-containing compound, dithiothreitol (DTT). The treatment of both 0.5 and 1mM of DTT significantly increased clonogenic survival of ${\gamma}$-ray irradiated Chinese hamster (V79-4) cells. In order to investigate the possible radioprotective mechanism of DTT, we measured gamma-ray induced chromosome aberration by micronucleus assay. In the presence of 0.5mM or 1mM DTT, the frequencies of micronuclei were greatly reduced in all dose range examined (1.5-8 GY). Slightly higher reduction in micronucleus formation was observed in 1mM DTT-treated cells than in 0.5mM DTT-treated cells. In addition, incubation with both 0.5 and 1mM of DTT prior to gamma-ray irradiation reduced nucleosomal DNA fragmentation at about same extent, this result suggests that treatment of DTT at concentrations of 0.5 and 1mM reduced radiation-induced apoptosis. In vivo experiments, we also observed that DTT treatment reduced the incidence of apoptotic cells in mouse small intestine crypts. In irradiated control group 4.4${\pm}$0.5 apoptotic cells per crypt were observed. In DTT-administered and irradiated mice, only 2.1${\pm}$0.4 apoptotic cells per crypt was observed. In vitro and in vivo data obtained in this study showed that DTT reduced radiation-induced damages and it seems that the possible radioprotective mechanisms of action of DTT are prevention of chromosome aberration.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권6호
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• pp.2405-2425
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• 2014

Radiation exposure leads to several pathophysiological conditions, including oxidative damage, inflammation and fibrosis, thereby affecting the survival of organisms. This review explores the radiation countermeasure properties of fourteen (14) plant extracts or plant-derived compounds against these cellular manifestations. It was aimed at evaluating the possible role of plants or its constituents in radiation countermeasure strategy. All the 14 plant extracts or compounds derived from it and considered in this review have shown some radioprotection in different in vivo, ex-vivo and or in vitro models of radiological injury. However, few have demonstrated advantages over the others. C. majus possessing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects appears to be promising in radioprotection. Its crude extracts as well as various alkaloids and flavonoids derived from it, have shown to enhance survival rate in irradiated mice. Similarly, curcumin with its antioxidant and the ability to ameliorate late effect of radiation exposure, combined with improvement in survival in experimental animal following irradiation, makes it another probable candidate against radiological injury. Furthermore, the extracts of P. hexandrum and P. kurroa in combine treatment regime, M. piperita, E. officinalis, A. sinensis, nutmeg, genistein and ginsan warrants further studies on their radioprotective potentials. However, one that has received a lot of attention is the dietary flaxseed. The scavenging ability against radiation-induced free radicals, prevention of radiation-induced lipid peroxidation, reduction in radiation cachexia, level of inflammatory cytokines and fibrosis, are some of the remarkable characteristics of flaxseed in animal models of radiation injury. While countering the harmful effects of radiation exposure, it has shown its ability to enhance survival rate in experimental animals. Further, flaxseed has been tested and found to be equally effective when administered before or after irradiation, and against low doses (${\leq}5Gy$) to the whole body or high doses (12-13.5 Gy) to the whole thorax. This is particularly relevant since apart from the possibility of using it in pre-conditioning regime in radiotherapy, it could also be used during nuclear plant leakage/accidents and radiological terrorism, which are not pre-determined scenarios. However, considering the infancy of the field of plant-based radioprotectors, all the above-mentioned plant extracts/plant-derived compounds deserves further stringent study in different models of radiation injury.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제20권4호
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• pp.357-370
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• 2012

Radiation therapy, the most commonly used for the treatment of brain tumors, has been shown to be of major significance in tumor control and survival rate of brain tumor patients. About 200,000 patients with brain tumor are treated with either partial large field or whole brain radiation every year in the United States. The use of radiation therapy for treatment of brain tumors, however, may lead to devastating functional deficits in brain several months to years after treatment. In particular, whole brain radiation therapy results in a significant reduction in learning and memory in brain tumor patients as long-term consequences of treatment. Although a number of in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the pathogenesis of radiation-mediated brain injury, the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which radiation induces damage to normal tissue in brain remain largely unknown. Therefore, this review focuses on the pathophysiological mechanisms of whole brain radiation-induced cognitive impairment and the identification of novel therapeutic targets. Specifically, we review the current knowledge about the effects of whole brain radiation on pro-oxidative and pro-inflammatory pathways, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)/tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) system and extracellular matrix (ECM), and physiological angiogenesis in brain. These studies may provide a foundation for defining a new cellular and molecular basis related to the etiology of cognitive impairment that occurs among patients in response to whole brain radiation therapy. It may also lead to new opportunities for therapeutic interventions for brain tumor patients who are undergoing whole brain radiation therapy.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.69-89
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• 2006

Biological mechanisms for ionizing radiation effects are different at low doses than at high doses. Radiation hormesis involves low-dose-induced protection and high-dose-induced harm. The protective component is associated with a reduction in the incidence of cancer below the spontaneous frequency, brought about by activation of defensive and repair processes. The Linear No-Threshold (LNT) hypothesis advocated by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) and the Biological Effects of ionizing Radiation (BEIR) Report VII for cancer risk estimations Ignores hormesis and the presence of a threshold. Cancer incidences significantly less than expected have been found in a large number of epidemiological studies including, airline flight personnel, inhabitants of high radiation backgrounds, shipyard workers, nuclear site workers in scores of locations throughout the world, nuclear power utility workers, plutonium workers, military nuclear test site Participants, Japanese A-bomb survivors, residents contaminated by major nuclear accidents, residents of Taiwan living in $^{60}Co$ contaminated buildings, fluoroscopy and mammography patients, radium dial painters, and those exposed to indoor radon. Significantly increased cancer was not found at doses <200 $mSv^*$. Evidence for radiation hormesis was seen in both sexes for acute or chronic exposures, low or high LET radiations, external whole- or partial body exposures, and for internal radionuclides. The ubiquitous nature of the Healthy Worker Effect (HWE)-like responses in cellular, animal and epidemiological studies negates the HWE as an explanation for radiation hormesis. The LNT hypothesis is wrong and does not represent the true nature of the dose-response relationship, since low doses or dose-rates commonly result in thresholds and reduce cancer incidences below the spontaneous rate. Radiation protection organizations should seriously consider the cost and health implications of radiation hormesis.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제40권7호
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• pp.539-550
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• 2008

Lung cancer is the most prevalent global cancer, ${\sim}90%$ of which is caused by cigarette smoking. The LNT hypothesis has been inappropriately applied to estimate lung cancer risk due to ionizing radiation. A threshold of ${\sim}1\;Gy$ for lung cancer has been observed in never smokers. Lung cancer risk among nuclear workers, radiologists and diagnostically exposed patients was typically reduced by ${\sim}40%$ following exposure to <100 mSv low LET radiation. The consistency and magnitude of reduced lung cancer in nuclear workers and occurrence of reduced lung cancer in exposed non-worker populations could not be explained by the HWE. Ecologic studies of indoor radon showed highly significant reductions in lung cancer risk. A similar reduction in lung cancer was seen in a recent well designed case-control study of indoor radon, indicating that exposure to radon at the EPA action level is associated with a decrease of ${\sim}60%$ in lung cancer. A cumulative whole-body dose of ${\sim}1\;Gy$ gamma rays is associated with a marked decrease in smoking-induced lung cancer in plutonium workers. Low dose, low LET radiation appears to increase apoptosis mediated removal of $\alpha$-particle and cigarette smoke transformed pulmonary cells before they can develop into lung cancer.