Objective: To analyze changes in immune functions by detecting lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood of residents in the vicinity of radon from hot springs. Methods: Two groups were randomly selected; 61 residents in the vicinity of the hot springs were assigned to the radon group, and 51 residents with a similar lifestyle and habits but no contact with hot springs were assigned to the control group. The percentages of lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+CD8−, CD4−CD8+, CD4+/CD8+, and TCR/CD3) in the 2 groups were evaluated on a FACS Aria flow cytometer. The absolute values of lymphocytes (LYMPH#) and percentages of lymphocytes (LYMPH%) were measured by an automatic blood analyzer. Results: In the radon group, the numbers of CD3+ ( Z = −0.140, P > .05) and CD4+CD8− ( Z = −0.964, P > .05) T cells were higher, as compared with the controls, but this difference was not significant. In addition, the number of CD4−CD8+ ( t = −2.141, P < .05) T cells was significantly lower in the radon group. Furthermore, the average ratios of CD4+/CD8+ ( t = −2.201, P < .05) and TCR/CD3 ( t = 2.047, P < .05) cells were significantly higher in the radon group than in the controls. Compared with the control group, the LYMPH# ( t = −0.485, P > .05) and LYMPH% (Z = −0.835, P > .05) showed no significant change. Conclusion: Radon-rich hot springs could alter the proportions of lymphocyte subsets and possibly affect immunologic functions.
α-tocopherol succinate (α-TOS), γ-tocotrienol (GT3) and δ-tocotrienol (DT3) have drawn large attention due to their efficacy as radioprotective agents. α-TOS has been shown to act superior to α-tocopherol (α-TOH) in mice by reducing lethality following total body irradiation (TBI). Because α-TOS has been shown to act superior to α-tocopherol (α-TOH) in mice by reducing lethality following total body irradiation (TBI), we hypothesized succinate may be contribute to the radioprotection of α-TOS. To study the contributions of succinate and to identify stronger radioprotective agents, we synthesized α-, γ- and δ-TOS. Then, we evaluated their radioprotective effects and researched further mechanism of δ-TOS on hematological recovery post-irradiation. Our results demonstrated that the chemical group of succinate enhanced the effects of α-, γ- and δ-TOS upon radioprotection and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) induction, and found δ-TOS a higher radioprotective efficacy at a lower dosage. We further found that treatment with δ-TOS ameliorated radiation-induced pancytopenia, augmenting cellular recovery in bone marrow and the colony forming ability of bone marrow cells in sublethal irradiated mice, thus promoting hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell recovery following irradiation exposure. δ-TOS appears to be an attractive radiation countermeasure without known toxicity, but further exploratory efficacy studies are still required.
Our findings demonstrate the radioprotective efficacy of EAD and reveal that the 17α-Ethinyl group is essential for its oral activity. Given its oral efficacy and low toxicity, EAD has potential as an optimal radioprotector for use by first responders as well as at-risk civilian populations.
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