Résumé
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 gamma-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 gamma-radiation at a dose rate of 102.7 cGy/minute. The remaining aliquots were separately incubated with 600 micro M concentrations each of serine, magnesium sulfate, serine-magnesium sulfate, NAC and cysteine before being exposed to 2 Gy of gamma-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
Résumé
Objectives: aluminium phosphide [AlP] is a fumigant pesticide which protects stored grains from insects and rodents. When it comes into contact with moisture, AlP releases phosphine [PH[3]], a highly toxic gas. No efficient antidote has been found for AlP poisoning so far and most people who are poisoned do not survive. Boric acid is a Lewis acid with an empty p orbital which accepts electrons. This study aimed to investigate the neutralisation of PH[3] gas with boric acid
Methods: this study was carried out at the Baharlou Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, between December 2013 and February 2014. The volume of released gas, rate of gas evolution and changes in pH were measured during reactions of AlP tablets with water, acidified water, saturated boric acid solution, acidified saturated boric acid solution, activated charcoal and acidified activated charcoal. Infrared spectroscopy was used to study the resulting probable adduct between PH[3] and boric acid
Results: activated charcoal significantly reduced the volume of released gas [P <0.01]. Although boric acid did not significantly reduce the volume of released gas, it significantly reduced the rate of gas evolution [P <0.01]. A gaseous adduct was formed in the reaction between pure AlP and boric acid
Conclusion: these findings indicate that boric acid may be an efficient and non-toxic antidote for PH[3] poisoning