The challenges of defining hormesis in epidemiological studies: The case of radiation hormesis

Iavicoli, Ivo; Fontana, Luca; Santocono, Carolina; Guarino, Davide; Laudiero, Martina; Calabrese, Edward J.

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166030

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…The use of various species would enable more precise extrapolations to humans. The monitoring of exposed populations and epidemiological studies are necessary, but potential biases and confounding factors should be taken into account [62] . Of particular importance is the selection and self-selection bias.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exaggeration of consequences of low-dose radiation exposures with special reference to cataracts

Jargin

2024

Imaging. Radiat. Res.

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Publications overestimating the medical and ecological sequels of a slight anthropogenic increase in the radiation background have been reviewed recently with examples of different organs and pathological conditions. The overestimation contributed to the strangulation of atomic energy. The use of nuclear energy for electricity production is on the agenda today due to the increasing energy needs of humankind. Apparently, certain scientific writers acted in the interests of fossil fuel producers. Health risks and environmental damage are maximal for coal and oil, lower for natural gas, and much lower for atomic energy. This letter is an addition to previously published materials, this time focused on studies of cataracts in radiation-exposed populations in Russia. Selection and self-selection bias are of particular significance. Apparently, the self-reporting rate correlates with dose estimates and/or with professional awareness about radiation-related risks among nuclear workers or radiologic technologists, the latter being associated with their work experience/duration and hence with the accumulated dose. Individuals informed of their higher doses would more often seek medical advice and receive more attention from medics. As a result, lens opacities are diagnosed in exposed people earlier than in the general population. This explains dose-effect correlations proven for the incidence of cataracts but not for the frequency of cataract surgeries. Along the same lines, various pathological conditions are more often detected in exposed people. Ideological bias and the trimming of statistics have not been unusual in the Russian medical sciences. It is known that ionizing radiation causes cataracts; however, threshold levels associated with risks are understudied. In particular, thresholds for chronic and fractionated exposures are uncertain and may be underestimated.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exaggeration of consequences of low-dose radiation exposures with special reference to cataracts

Jargin

2024

Imaging. Radiat. Res.

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“…In the following sections of this review, the different explanations that can help us understand this type of dose-response curve will be discussed in more detail. Among the biphasic responses produced by different drugs, with increasing interest, there is one known as the hormetic response [39,[64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73]. If we focus on antioxidant activity, hormesis is characterized by a protective and beneficial effect at very low doses, while increasing the concentration of the antioxidant causes damage (Figure 4).…”

Section: Dose-response Curves Hormesis and The Law Of Mass Actionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enemies or Allies? Hormetic and Apparent Non-Dose-Dependent Effects of Natural Bioactive Antioxidants in the Treatment of Inflammation

Barreiro-Sisto,

Fernández-Fariña,

González-Noya

et al. 2024

IJMS

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This review aims to analyze the emerging number of studies on biological media that describe the unexpected effects of different natural bioactive antioxidants. Hormetic effects, with a biphasic response depending on the dose, or activities that are apparently non-dose-dependent, have been described for compounds such as resveratrol, curcumin, ferulic acid or linoleic acid, among others. The analysis of the reported studies confirms the incidence of these types of effects, which should be taken into account by researchers, discarding initial interpretations of imprecise methodologies or measurements. The incidence of these types of effects should enhance research into the different mechanisms of action, particularly those studied in the field of basic research, that will help us understand the causes of these unusual behaviors, depending on the dose, such as the inactivation of the signaling pathways of the immune defense system. Antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities in biological media should be addressed in ways that go beyond a mere statistical approach. In this work, some of the research pathways that may explain the understanding of these activities are revised, paying special attention to the ability of the selected bioactive compounds (curcumin, resveratrol, ferulic acid and linoleic acid) to form metal complexes and the activity of these complexes in biological media.

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“…Admittedly, large-scale studies with primates, which might be similar enough to humans to extrapolate the results directly, are expensive, and extrapolation from laboratory animals is associated with uncertainties. 25 Experiments with low radiation doses seem to be feasible in animal breeding facilities. The use of various species must enable more precise extrapolations to humans.…”

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confidence: 99%

Overtreatment of Supposedly Radiogenic Cancer and Precancerous Lesions

Jargin

2023

Cancer Screen Prev

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It is known that the incidence of thyroid carcinoma (TC) among people exposed to ionizing radiation at a young age from the Chernobyl accident (hereafter accident) increased significantly. The precipitous elevation of TC detection rate that began ∼4 years after the accident could not be predicted either from studies of Abomb survivors in Japan or from experience with radiotherapy. As discussed previously, 1 some dose-effect relationships have been caused or influenced by bias and confounding factors, especially by dose-dependent selection. Individuals informed about higher doses or residing in more contaminated territories would be on average more motivated to undergo medical examinations and be

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The challenges of defining hormesis in epidemiological studies: The case of radiation hormesis

Cited by 4 publications

References 99 publications

Exaggeration of consequences of low-dose radiation exposures with special reference to cataracts

Exaggeration of consequences of low-dose radiation exposures with special reference to cataracts

Enemies or Allies? Hormetic and Apparent Non-Dose-Dependent Effects of Natural Bioactive Antioxidants in the Treatment of Inflammation

Overtreatment of Supposedly Radiogenic Cancer and Precancerous Lesions

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