The Antioxidant Tempol Reduces Carcinogenesis and Enhances Survival in Mice when Administered After Non-Lethal Total Body Radiation
Menée sur un modèle murin ayant été exposé à une dose non mortelle de rayonnements ionisants, cette étude montre qu'une supplémentation en tempol, un antioxydant, peut réduire le risque de cancer induit par les rayonnements et augmenter la survie
There is significant interest in the development of agents that can ameliorate radiation damage after exposure to radiation has occurred. Here we report that chronic supplementation of the antioxidant Tempol in the diet of mice can reduce body weight without toxicity, decrease cancer, and extend survival when administered after non-lethal total body radiation (TBI). These effects were apparent in two different strains of mice (C3H, CBA) exposed to TBI (3 Gy). Notably, delaying administration of the Tempol diet 1 month after TBI could also enhance survival. Tempol reduced the incidence of hematopoietic neoplasms (lymphomas) in both strains; whereas, both the onset and incidence of non-hematopoietic neoplasms were reduced in CBA mice. These results encourage further study of Tempol as a chemopreventive, to reduce the incidence of radiation-induced second malignancies after a course of definitive radiation therapy. Tempol may also find applications to reduce the risk of cancers in populations exposed to non-lethal radiation due to nuclear accidents or terrorist attacks.
Cancer Research 2012