Protective ability of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) to scavenge radiationinduced free radicals in J774A.1 macrophage cells

Radiation generates a variety of free radicals during the exposure of biolo gical tissues through radiolysis of water. These free radicals are highly r eactive and cause oxidative damage to biological molecules. This study exam ined the protective ability of aspirin against radiation induced oxidative stress. The study assessed the protective effect of aspirin (0.05 mM, 0.10 mM, 0.50 mM) on the generation of free radicals during exposure of J774A.1 macrophage cells to radiation (13.25 cGy). Approximately a 2.2-fold increas e in superoxide anion formation as determined by cytochrome (c) under bar r eduction was observed following exposure of the cells to radiation for 20 o ne second exposures. Preincubation with aspirin exhibited a dose dependent decrease in free radical production as assessed by chemiluminescence and cy tochrome (c) under bar reduction. Aspirin also produced a concentration dep endent reduction in radiation induced DNA damage in the cells. The data ind icate that radiation of these cells results in production of reactive oxyge n species and DNA damage, and aspirin can decrease these effects in a conce ntration dependent manner.