 |
 | Contemporary Radiation Countermeasures (Review Paper)
Author : Patel, Vivek N.;Gupta, Seema;Shareef, Mohammed M.;Ahmed, Mansoor M.
Source : Defence Science Journal ; Vol:61(2) ; 2011 ; pp 138-145
Subject : 535.374 Radiation Hazards
Keywords : Radioprotectors;radiation countermeasures;therapeutic agents;radiation mitigators;radiotherapy
Abstract : Radiation countermeasures have been investigated for decades, but the search for ideal protective agents for use prior to or after irradiation still continues. This review focuses on agents that have demonstrated as potential as in vivo countermeasure agents and may subsequently be effectively used in human beings. Such agents are categorised as radioprotectors, radiation mitigators, or therapeutic agents dependening upon their time of administration. These protective or mitigating agents are designed to reduce inadvertent damage to normal tissue caused by radiation. These interventions function via various mechanisms of action ranging from modulating signalling pathways to inhibiting cell death, cytokines, and growth factor. Many agents demonstrated promising results in murine models and are being tested in human beings. Amifostine, and curcumin have shown radioprotection, while genistein, palifermin, and halofuginone have been shown to alleviate the side effects in patients undergoing radiotherapy. Though these compounds show some promise as radiation countermeasure agents, there are several associated limitations and the search for perfect agents still continues. |
| | Models for the Development of Radiation Countermeasures (Review Paper)
Author : Kumar, Indracanti Prem;Gupta, Damodar;Bhatt, Anant Narayan;Dwarakanath, B.S.
Source : Defence Science Journal ; Vol:61(2) ; 2011 ; pp 146-156
Subject : 535.374 Radiation Hazards
Keywords : Radiation countermeasures;ionising radiation;radiation damage;radiation injury
Abstract : Appropriate models are essential for making the transition from scientific discoveries to meaningful applications of the knowledge for human use. Acute as well as delayed effects of ionising radiation to the biological systems develop hierarchically starting from damage to the vital macromolecules up to the disturbances caused at the whole organism level. In vitro models like bacteria, yeast, various mammalian cells cultured as monolayers (2-D) and spheroids (3-D) as well as cells with specific genetic alterations have provided insight into the complex relationships between damage induction and various signal transduction pathways, allowing identification of molecular and sub-cellular targets vital to the fate of irradiated cells. On the other hand, in vivo models (multicellular whole organisms), ranging from simple worms to non-human primates, have been gainfully employed to evaluate efficacy as well as toxicity of potential countermeasure agents (molecules, combinations and formulated preparations) facilitating their deployment in human subjects. This review provides a brief account of the efforts with various in vitro and in vivo models for understanding the biological basis of radiation damage as well as the development of radiation countermeasures, viz., protectors, mitigators and therapeutics. |
|
