Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 2, 2026
07:24
Repression of Multiple Myeloma Cell Growth In Vivo by Single-wall Carbon Nanotube SWCNT-delivered MALAT1 Antisense Oligos
Published on: December 13, 2018
5.7K
Melatonin as a radioprotectant against mitochondrial damage
Tsutomu Shimura1, Jiayu Wu2, Maho Aizawa3
1Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Public Health Wako, Saitama, Japan.
International Journal of Radiation Biology
|March 3, 2026
Summary
Melatonin effectively protects against radiation-induced mitochondrial damage and cellular senescence by scavenging reactive oxygen species. This finding suggests melatonin
Area of Science:
- Mitochondrial biology
- Radiation biology
- Cellular senescence
Background:
- Conventional radioprotectants require pre-exposure administration.
- Post-exposure radioprotection is limited.
- Irradiation induces mitochondrial damage via reactive oxygen species (ROS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of melatonin and mitoEbselen-2 as post-exposure radioprotectants.
- To assess their ability to protect against radiation-induced mitochondrial damage.
Main Methods:
- Human fibroblasts (TIG-3) exposed to ionizing radiation (IR).
- Assessed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) leakage, membrane potential (Δψm), and senescence.
- Evaluated melatonin in vivo in mice exposed to whole-body irradiation.
Main Results:
- Melatonin and mitoEbselen-2 protected against IR- and H2O2-induced mitochondrial damage, acting as ROS scavengers.
- Melatonin maintained Δψm, inhibited senescence, and mitigated mtDNA release in mice.
- MitoEbselen-2 showed potential cytotoxicity with prolonged use.
Conclusions:
- Melatonin demonstrates significant radioprotective effects against mitochondrial damage.
- Melatonin's ability to mitigate radiation-induced health effects warrants further investigation for accidental exposure scenarios.
Related Concept Videos
02:59Biological Effects of Radiation
15.4K
All radioactive nuclides emit high-energy particles or electromagnetic waves. When this radiation encounters living cells, it can cause heating, break chemical bonds, or ionize molecules. The most serious biological damage results when these radioactive emissions fragment or ionize molecules. For example, α and β particles emitted from nuclear decay reactions possess much higher energies than ordinary chemical bond energies. When these particles strike and penetrate matter, they...
15.4K
01:14Diamagnetic Shielding of Nuclei: Local Diamagnetic Current
1.3K
An applied magnetic field causes the electrons present in the molecule to circulate, setting up a local diamagnetic current within the molecule. The local diamagnetic current arising from circulating sigma-bonding electrons induces a magnetic field, Blocal that opposes the applied magnetic field, B0. The effective magnetic field experienced by these nuclei is given by the difference between the applied and local magnetic fields in a phenomenon called local diamagnetic shielding. Essentially,...
1.3K
01:17Radiation: Applications
1.8K
The average temperature of Earth is the subject of much current discussion. Earth is in radiative contact with both the Sun and dark space; it receives almost all its energy from the radiation of the Sun and reflects some of it into outer space. Dark space is very cold, about 3 K, so Earth radiates energy into it. For instance, heat transfer occurs from soil and grasses, the rate of which can be so rapid that frost can occur on clear summer evenings, even in warm latitudes.
The average...
The average...
1.8K
01:14Prevention of Further Absorption of Poison
1.4K
In cases of acute poisoning, the primary objective is to prevent further absorption of the toxic substance into the body. Immediate interventions using various decontamination techniques targeting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract can achieve this. Decontamination is crucial to prevent poison from entering the systemic circulation, which involves washing affected areas with water and mild soap and removing contaminated clothing. Once external decontamination is done, attention must be turned to...
1.4K
01:26Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Treatment Strategies
279
Treatment strategies for poisoning are a critical aspect of emergency medicine, focusing on preventing the absorption of toxins and enhancing their elimination. When a poisoning incident occurs, the first response is to halt exposure and decontaminate the patient, particularly through gastrointestinal (GI) methods if the poison was ingested.Gastrointestinal Decontamination Techniques:Activated charcoal is the cornerstone of GI decontamination. It works through adsorption, binding the toxin to...
279