Prevention of γ-radiation-induced DNA damage in human lymphocytes using a: Serine-magnesium sulfate mixture

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. © 2017,sultan qaboos university. all rights reserved.