Low-dose radiation attenuates chemical mutagenesis in vivo

J Radiat Res. 2009 Sep;50(5):401-5. doi: 10.1269/jrr.09051. Epub 2009 Aug 13.

Abstract

The biological effects of low-dose radiation are not only of social concern but also of scientific interest. The radioadaptive response, which is defined as an increased radioresistance by prior exposure to low-dose radiation, has been extensively studied both in vitro and in vivo. Here we briefly review the radioadaptive response with respect to mutagenesis, survival rate, and carcinogenesis in vivo, and introduce our recent findings of cross adaptation in mouse thymic cells, that is, the suppressive effect of repeated low-dose radiation on mutation induction by the alkylating agent N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chromosome Aberrations / radiation effects*
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological*
  • Mutagenesis / physiology*
  • Mutagenesis / radiation effects*
  • Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / physiopathology*
  • Radiation Dosage
  • Radiation Tolerance / physiology*
  • Radiation Tolerance / radiation effects*