Abstract
[Purpose]Generally, we can confirm the effect of radioprotection agent (cysteine, cysteanime, amifostine, etc) by administering it before irradiation. There were some reports that mutation rate fall down by administering the ascorbic acid which absorb long lived radicals after irradiation. Therefore, in our study, we are aimed at studying cell death and the radioprotection effect of the ascorbic acid for the DNA double-strand break.
[Result] With administration of ascorbic acid after irradiation, we confirmed that DNA damages were decreased in G0-PCC assay and gamma-H2AX assay. We also observed radioprotection effect in cell survival.
[Discussion] It is important that a radioprotection effect appears even if we administer the ascorbic acid not only before irradiation but also after irradiation. This effect may be whether ascorbic acid scavenges long lived radicals or adding ascorbic acid may promote PLDR. However, the detailed mechanism is not yet clear. Further development can expect the protection of the normal tissues at radiation therapy, an emergency measure at the time of the emergency radiation exposure and a protection of the astronaut based on this study. Ascorbic acid has a few side effects and it is generally a material recognized well. In addition, we are carrying out further research of ascorbic acid with heavy charged particles.