PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF gamma-IRRADIATION AGAINST HYPOCHLOROUS ACID-INDUCED HAEMOLYSIS IN HUMAN ERYTHROCYTES

Radiations may trigger protective response within a threshold of doses applied. Exposures above an upper threshold are generally detrimental, while exposures below a lower threshold may or may not increase risks for health. We recently reported that a cellular protective response occurs in interventional cardiologists to counteract the oxidative damage caused by radiation. Here, we demonstrated in an in vitro model represented by whole blood of healthy donors gamma-irradiated with 220-440 mGy, that haemolysis of erythrocytes induced by hypochlorous acid was reduced by 40%. The protection triggered by gamma-radiations made erythrocytes more resistant to oxidative insult caused by hypochlorous acid which was induced 3 h after irradiation and involved biochemical changes in the synthesis and turnover of glutathione. Overall, the biochemical remodelling induced by exposure to gamma-radiations might contribute to generate new guidelines in professionally exposed workers.