Assessment of the radioprotective effects of amifostine and melatonin on human lymphocytes irradiated with gamma-rays in vitro

Abstract

Radioprotective effects of amifostine and melatonin as well as their ability to modulate the level of spontaneous and gamma-irradiation-induced genetic changes on human peripheral blood lymphocytes were investigated using the cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay and sister chromatid exchange (SCE).

Parallel blood samples were pre-treated with amifostine, melatonin and their combination for 30 minutes. Negative controls were also included.

After the treatment with radioprotectors, one blood sample of each experimental group was exposed to gamma-rays from a 60Co source. The radiation dose absorbed was 2 Gy.

Our research confirmed the radioprotective effects of both chemicals in vitro, with no significant genotoxicity. Pre-treated irradiated blood samples showed a decrease in the total number of micronuclei (MN) and in the number of cells with more than one MN. They also showed significantly lower mean SCE values.

This study shows that it is possible combine these radioprotectors by adjusting the doses of amifostine to achieve the best radioprotective effect with as few side effects as possible. However, further in vitro and clinical studies are needed to clarify their mechanisms of action and possible interactions.

 

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See also:

- About Melatonin;

- The Di Bella Method (A Fixed Part - Melatonin tablets);

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- Cyclophosphamide plus Somatostatin, Bromocriptin, Retinoids, Melatonin and ACTH in the Treatment of Low-grade Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphomas at Advanced Stage: Results of a Phase II Trial;

- Relapse of High-Grade Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma After Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation: A Case Successfully Treated With Cyclophosphamide Plus Somatostatin, Bromocriptine, Melatonin, Retinoids, and ACTH;

- Low-grade Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma at Advanced Stage: A Case Successfully Treated With Cyclophosphamide Plus Somatostatin, Bromocriptine, Retinoids, and Melatonin;

- The Di Bella Method (DBM) improved survival, objective response and performance status in a retrospective observational clinical study on 55 cases of Lymphomas;

- Large B-cells Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Stage IV-AE: a Case Report;

- Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Stage III-B-E: a Case Report.