Title: Antioxidant therapy and its stability on Chernobyl clean-up workers

Authors: Andrejs Skesters, Tija Zvagule, Alise Silova, Liga Larmane, Nina Rusakova, Natalja Kurjane, Elena Kirilova, Inta Kalnina, Georgii Kirilov, Natalija Gabruseva

Addresses: Laboratory of Biochemistry, Riga Stradins University, Riga, Latvia. ' Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health, Riga Stradins University, Riga, Latvia. ' Laboratory of Biochemistry, Riga Stradins University, Riga, Latvia. ' Laboratory of Biochemistry, Riga Stradins University, Riga, Latvia. ' Laboratory of Biochemistry, Riga Stradins University, Riga, Latvia. ' Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health, Riga Stradins University, Riga, Latvia. ' Daugavpils University, Daugavpils, Latvia. ' Daugavpils University, Daugavpils, Latvia. ' Daugavpils University, Daugavpils, Latvia. ' Biomedical Research and Study Centre, University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia

Abstract: This paper describes the effects of prolonged antioxidant therapy, its stability and association with spectral parameters of the fluorescent probe ABM in blood plasma and indices of albumin auto-fluorescence in Chernobyl clean-up workers from Latvia. Patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 received placebos of identical appearance to antioxidants. Group 2 received antioxidants (vitamin E + selenium + ibuprofen). Individuals were tested three times: before supplementation of antioxidants, after therapy and one year after supplementation interruption. Applied therapy improves oxidant/antioxidant status of individuals. Interruption of therapy after one year leads to significant decrease of cellular immunity. In the group receiving antioxidants it is not so expressed compared with data from the placebos group. Changes in blood plasma and its structural and functional properties detected by ABM strongly correlated with the oxidant/antioxidant (immune) status of individuals. This behaviour of ABM could be useful in reflecting alterations of cellular immunity. Questions related to more detailed and prolonged antioxidant therapy need closer investigation.

Keywords: fluorescent probes; ionising radiation; human serum albumin; antioxidant therapy; Chernobyl clean-up workers; low radiation; blood plasma; Latvia; antioxidants; placebos; cell immunity; nuclear radiation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLR.2010.036969

International Journal of Low Radiation, 2010 Vol.7 No.5, pp.409 - 421

Published online: 18 Nov 2010 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article