Effect of N-acetylcysteine on 12C6+ion irradiation-induced lymphocytes DNA damages and immunity changes in mice

Abstract

The aims of present study are to estimate the biological risks to the immunity of mice exposed to heavy ion radiation and to investigate the effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on 12C6+ ion irradiation-induced lymphocyte DNA damage. Results showed that in the brine group, the levels of lymphocyte DNA damage and MN, thymocytes G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis percentages (except for activity of NK cells) were up at each time point. A time-response curve for MN and DNA damage appeared in the NAC group. We found that whole-body 12C6+ ion irradiation at a dose of 4 Gy could: induce lymphocyte DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs); immunocytes DSBs may lead to acute effects on immunity; and 200 mg/kg NAC showed significant protection against radiation harm.