Radiation-induced inflammation and autoimmune diseases

Abstract

Currently, ionizing radiation (IR) plays a key role in the agricultural and medical industry, while accidental exposure resulting from leakage of radioactive sources or radiological terrorism is a serious concern. Exposure to IR has various detrimental effects on normal tissues. Although an increased risk of carcinogenesis is the best-known long-term consequence of IR, evidence has shown that other diseases, particularly diseases related to inflammation, are common disorders among irradiated people. Autoimmune disorders are among the various types of immune diseases that have been investigated among exposed people. Thyroid diseases and diabetes are two autoimmune diseases potentially induced by IR. However, the precise mechanisms of IR-induced thyroid diseases and diabetes remain to be elucidated, and several studies have shown that chronic increased levels of inflammatory cytokines after exposure play a pivotal role. Thus, cytokines, including interleukin-1(IL-1), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ), play a key role in chronic oxidative damage following exposure to IR. Additionally, these cytokines change the secretion of insulin and thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH). It is likely that the management of inflammation and oxidative damage is one of the best strategies for the amelioration of these diseases after a radiological or nuclear disaster. In the present study, we reviewed the evidence of radiation-induced diabetes and thyroid diseases, as well as the potential roles of inflammatory responses. In addition, we proposed that the mitigation of inflammatory and oxidative damage markers after exposure to IR may reduce the incidence of these diseases among individuals exposed to radiation.

Biochemical and Histopathological Evaluation of the Radioprotective Effects of Melatonin Against Gamma Ray-Induced Skin Damage

“…It is a major contributing element skin physiology and pathology [26]. It has anti-inflammatory properties [27]. Direct free radical scavenging and indirect antioxidant abilities.…”

“…It is a major contributing element to hair growth cycle, cutaneous pigmentation in addition to skin physiology and pathology [26]. Melatonin also has antiinflammatory properties [27]. It has shown ability to attenuate the production of inflammatory cytokines, prostaglandins, etc., and offers protection against radiation injury [28][29][30][31][32][33][34].…”

Radiation Protection and Mitigation by Natural Antioxidants and Flavonoids: Implications to Radiotherapy and Radiation Disasters

“…However, for doses higher than 2 Gy, necrosis is more common. Ingestion of apoptotic bodies by macrophages causes secretion of antiinflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 and TGF-β [32]. However, the release of necrotic products such as oxidized DNA and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) leads to stimulation of lymphocytes to elevate the expression of transcription factors like nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT), mitogenactivated protein kinases (MAPKs) Fig.…”

Lichen planus and diabetes mellitus: Systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…It should also be highlighted that in recent years, diverse studies have indicated that low-grade inflammation markers have a strong relationship to the development of metabolic syndrome (MS), diabetes type 2, insulin resistance, and hypertension, and have even been correlated with stress and depression (Drummond, Barbosa, Dantzer, & Teixeira, 2018;Serrano Ríos, 2005;Smith, Au, Ollis, & Schmitz, 2018;Yahyapour et al, 2018) A study performed by Baykal et al (2015) also looked at the relationship between LP and MS, finding a higher prevalence of MS in patients with LP. These results suggest that there could be link between low-grade systemic inflammation and the development of these diseases.…”