Strong radioprotective FGF1 signaling down-regulates proliferative and metastatic capabilities of the angiosarcoma cell line, ISOS-1, through the dual inhibition of EGFR and VEGFR pathways

Review of compounds that exhibit radioprotective and/or mitigatory effects after application of diagnostic or therapeutic ionizing radiation

PURPOSE

Exposure to ionizing radiation can be accidental or for medical purposes. Analyzes of the frequency of radiation damage in the general population, it has been determined that by far the most common are those that occur as a result of diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Damage caused by radiation, either accidentally or for therapeutic purposes, can be reduced by the use of radioprotectors, mitigators or other therapeutic agents. A detailed research of the available literature shows that there is little systematized data of potentially radioprotective and/or mitigating effects of drugs from the personal therapy of patients during the application of therapeutic ionizing radiation. The aim of this paper is to present review of compounds, especially personal therapy drugs, that exhibit radioprotective and/or mitigating effects after the application of diagnostic or therapeutic ionizing radiation.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the widespread use of ionizing radiation for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, there is a clear need to create a strategy and recommendations of relevant institutions for the use of radioprotectors and mitigators in everyday clinical practice, with individual evaluation of the patient's condition and selection of the compounds that will show the greatest benefit in terms of radioprotection.

High-Sulfated Hyaluronic Acid Ameliorates Radiation-Induced Intestinal Damage Without Blood Anticoagulation

Purpose

Many growth factors, such as fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), are useful for the treatment or prevention of radiation damage after radiation therapy. Although heparin can be supplemented to increase the therapeutic effects of FGFs, it possesses strong anticoagulant effects, which limit its potential for clinical use. Therefore, chemically sulfated hyaluronic acid (HA) was developed as a safe alternative to heparin. This study examined the involvement of sulfated HA in radioprotective and anticoagulant effects.

Methods and Materials

FGF1 was administered intraperitoneally to BALB/c mice with sulfated HA 24 hours before or after total body irradiation with γ-rays. Several radioprotective effects were examined in the jejunum. The blood coagulation time in the presence of sulfated HA was measured using murine whole blood.

Results

FGF1 with high-sulfated HA (HA-HS) exhibited almost the same level of in vitro mitogenic activity as heparin, whereas FGF1 with HA or low-sulfated HA exhibited almost no mitogenic activity. Furthermore, HA-HS had high binding capability with FGF1. FGF1 with HA-HS significantly promoted crypt survival to the same level as heparin after total body irradiation and reduced radiation-induced apoptosis in crypt cells. Moreover, pretreatment of HA-HS without FGF1 also increased crypt survival and reduced apoptosis. Crypt survival with FGF1 in the presence of HA depended on the extent of sulfation of HA. Moreover, the blood anticoagulant effects of sulfated HA were weaker than those of heparin. As sulfated HA did not promote the reactivity of antithrombin III to thrombin, it did not increase anticoagulative effects to the same extent as heparin.

Conclusions

This study suggested that HA-HS promotes the radioprotective effects of FGF1 without anticoagulant effects. HA-HS has great potential for practical use to promote tissue regeneration after radiation damage.