Oxidative stress, radiation-induced damage and the potential role of N-acetylcysteine as a radioprotector

Many of the regulatory changes in cells after irradiation may be mediated through the production and interaction of classical signal transduction, free radicals, and DNA damage. The protection of normal tissues may provide an increase in tumor control by providing an increase in the radiation dose. Nacetylcysteine (NAC) is a potent free radical scavenger and may be beneficial in conditions of glutathione (GSH) depletion and free radical formation during oxidative stress. NAC has been shown to prevent radiation-induced DNA breaks and to have a place in cancer prevention. It may be suggested that NAC decreases irradiation-induced genocytotoxicity. NAC has not yet been widely used clinically for this purpose; further experimental studies are needed for determining its radioprotector effect. In the current review, we aimed to discuss the radioprotective potential of NAC.

Keywords: Glutathione; N-acetylcysteine; oxidative stress; irradiation- injury