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PDF - 140K, Characteristics of Placebo. In this section, estimates are given for the molar concentrations of certain compounds in BBIC and the Masa Harina placebo in the mouth and in the body of the oral leukoplakia patients.

PDF - 59K, Analysis of Sample Size if Placebo was 30 percent. Point one: formerly studies were powered anticipating a response rate in the placebo of about 10%. Power estimates for our Phase IIB study were performed by the dose-response observed in our preceding, single-arm, Phase IIA trial(4) In the IIA study response rate (PR+CR) at the lowest dose (200CIU) was 12.5 percent (1 out of 8 participants).

PDF - 54K, Stability of Drug Potency over Time. An interim, blinded analysis on the relative percent change in total lesion area, performed when roughly half of the desired subjects were accrued and presented to an independent board, had shown some promise of a positive final result.

PDF - 53K, Clinical Impression from Photographs. Across study arms, 91 participants had evaluable photo pairs: 45 in the drug arm and 46 in the placebo arm

PDF - 56K, Lipid Analysis in Study Patients. Cholesterol, Lipids, AML, and Triglycerides Summary of Levels Pre and Post Treatment for Those with Readings at Both Times

PDF - 59K, Summary of Adverse Events. There were 322 case-report forms on adverse events from the 132 randomized patients. Of these 322, 147 were blank or listed only "None," "Not Applicable," "No Complaints" and the like. These were set aside, as were a further 37 reports dated before the subject was randomized. The number of adverse-event reports from the 132 randomized subjects dated on or after randomization was 138.

PURPOSE The purpose of the studies described in this mini review article was to identify nontoxic compounds that could prevent or suppress the radiation induced malignant transformation of cells and be useful as human cancer preventive agents. CONCLUSIONS (1) Many different types of potential anticarcinogenic substances were evaluated initially for their abilities to prevent or suppress radiation induced malignant transformation in vitro, and certain anticarcinogenic protease inhibitors (APIs) were observed to be the most powerful anticarcinogenic agents at suppressing this surrogate endpoint biomarker of radiation carcinogenesis. (2) Within the category of APIs, those that inhibited the activity of chymotrypsin were effective at far lower molar concentrations than other APIs. The soybean-derived protease inhibitor known as the Bowman-Birk inhibitor (BBI) is a particularly powerful chymotrypsin inhibitor that is able to prevent radiation induced transformation in vitro (at concentrations down to nanomolar levels) as well as radiation induced carcinogenesis in vivo without toxicity. (3) There were many other unusual characteristics of APIs that led to the selection of one of these APIs, BBI, as the most appropriate compound for us to develop as a human cancer preventive agent. As one example, the APIs have an irreversible effect on carcinogenesis, while the effects are reversible for most anticarcinogenic agents when they are removed from carcinogenesis assay systems. (4) Numerous studies were performed in attempts to determine the potential mechanisms by which the APIs could prevent or suppress radiation induced carcinogenesis in in vitro and in vivo systems, and the results of these studies are described in this review article. The APIs and the proteases which interact with them appear to play important roles in radiation carcinogenesis. (5) Preparations for human trials using BBI began decades ago. The cost of preparing purified BBI was far too high to consider performing human trials with this agent, so BBI Concentrate (BBIC), a soybean extract enriched in BBI, was developed for the specific purpose of performing human trials with BBI. BBIC achieved Investigational New Drug (IND) Status with the Food and Drug Administration in April,1992, and human BBIC trials began at that time. (6) Several human trials were performed using BBIC and they indicated many potentially beneficial health effects produced by BBIC administration to people in various forms (e.g. tablets). 7) It is hypothesized that BBI takes the place of α-1-antichymotrypsin, an important regulatory compound in the human body, and helps to maintain homeostasis.

Purpose Recent studies suggest that ultrahigh-dose-rate, “FLASH,” electron radiation therapy (RT) decreases normal tissue damage while maintaining tumor response compared with conventional dose rate RT. Here, we describe a novel RT apparatus that delivers FLASH proton RT (PRT) using double scattered protons with computed tomography guidance and provide the first report of proton FLASH RT-mediated normal tissue radioprotection. Methods and Materials Absolute dose was measured at multiple depths in solid water and validated against an absolute integral charge measurement using a Faraday cup. Real-time dose rate was obtained using a NaI detector to measure prompt gamma rays. The effect of FLASH versus standard dose rate PRT on tumors and normal tissues was measured using pancreatic flank tumors (MH641905) derived from the KPC autochthonous PanCa model in syngeneic C57BL/6J mice with analysis of fibrosis and stem cell repopulation in small intestine after abdominal irradiation. Results The double scattering and collimation apparatus was dosimetrically validated with dose rates of 78 ± 9 Gy per second and 0.9 ± 0.08 Gy per second for the FLASH and standard PRT. Whole abdominal FLASH PRT at 15 Gy significantly reduced the loss of proliferating cells in intestinal crypts compared with standard PRT. Studies with local intestinal irradiation at 18 Gy revealed a reduction to near baseline levels of intestinal fibrosis for FLASH-PRT compared with standard PRT. Despite this difference, FLASH-PRT did not demonstrate tumor radioprotection in MH641905 pancreatic cancer flank tumors after 12 or 18 Gy irradiation. Conclusions We have designed and dosimetrically validated a FLASH-PRT system with accurate control of beam flux on a millisecond time scale and online monitoring of the integral and dose delivery time structure. Using this system, we found that FLASH-PRT decreases acute cell loss and late fibrosis after whole-abdomen and focal intestinal RT, whereas tumor growth inhibition is preserved between the 2 modalities.

The cardiovascular biology of proton radiotherapy is not well understood. We aimed to compare the genomic dose-response to proton and gamma radiation of the mouse aorta to assess whether their vascular effects may diverge. We performed comparative RNA sequencing of the aorta following (4 hrs) total-body proton and gamma irradiation (0.5-200 cGy whole body dose, 10 dose levels) of conscious mice. A trend analysis identified genes that showed a dose response. While fewer genes were dose-responsive to proton than gamma radiation (29 vs. 194 genes; q-value ≤ 0.1), the magnitude of the effect was greater. Highly responsive genes were enriched for radiation response pathways (DNA damage, apoptosis, cellular stress and inflammation; p-value ≤ 0.01). Gamma, but not proton radiation induced additionally genes in vasculature specific pathways. Genes responsive to both radiation types showed almost perfectly superimposable dose-response relationships. Despite the activation of canonical radiation response pathways by both radiation types, we detected marked differences in the genomic response of the murine aorta. Models of cardiovascular risk based on photon radiation may not accurately predict the risk associated with proton radiation.

Results from our recent studies have led to the novel hypothesis that radiation-induced coagulopathy (RIC) and associated hemorrhage occurring as part of the acute radiation syndrome (ARS) is a major cause of death resulting from radiation exposure in large mammals, including humans. This article contains information related to RIC, as well as potential strategies for the prevention and treatment of RIC. In addition, new findings are reported here on the occurrence of RIC biomarkers in humans exposed to radiation. To determine whether irradiated humans have RIC biomarkers, blood samples were obtained from radiotherapy patients who received treatment for different types of malignancies. Blood samples from allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) patients obtained before, during and after irradiation indicated that exposure led to prolonged clot formation times, increased levels of thrombin-antithrombin III (TAT) complex and increased circulating nucleosome/ histone (cNH) levels, which suggest potential coagulopathies in the allo-HCT patients. Since these allo-HCT patients received chemotherapy prior to radiotherapy, it is possible that the chemical agents could have influenced the observed results. Frozen plasma samples from radiotherapy patients with prostate, lung and breast cancer were also obtained for analyses of cNH levels. The results indicated that some of these patients had very high cNH blood levels. Analysis of cNH levels in plasma samples from irradiated ferrets also indicated increased cNH levels compared to preirradiation baseline levels. The results from irradiated animals and some radiotherapy patients suggest the possibility that anti-histone antibodies, which block the toxic effects of elevated cNH levels in the blood, might be useful as therapeutic agents for adverse biological radiation-induced effects. The detection of increased levels of cNH in some radiotherapy patient blood samples demonstrates its potential as a biomarker for diagnosing and/or predicting the propensity for developing coagulopathies/hemorrhage, offering possible treatment options with personalized medicine therapies for cancer patients.

Purpose. The cardiovascular biology of proton radiotherapy is not well understood. We aimed to compare the genomic dose-response to proton and gamma radiation of the mouse aorta to assess whether their vascular effects may diverge.Materials and methods.We performed comparative RNA sequencing of the aorta following (4 hrs) total-body proton and gamma irradiation (0.5 - 200 cGy whole body dose, 10 dose levels) of conscious mice. A trend analysis identified genes that showed a dose response.Results.While fewer genes were dose-responsive to proton than gamma radiation (29 vs. 194 genes;q-value ≤ 0.1), the magnitude of the effect was greater. Highly responsive genes were enriched for radiation response pathways (DNA damage, apoptosis, cellular stress and inflammation;p-value ≤ 0.01). Gamma, but not proton radiation induced additionally genes in vasculature specific pathways. Genes responsive to both radiation types showed almost perfectly superimposable dose-response relationships.Conclusions.Despite the activation of canonical radiation response pathways by both radiation types, we detected marked differences in the genomic response of the murine aorta. Models of cardiovascular risk based on photon radiation may not accurately predict the risk associated with proton radiation.

Astronauts could be exposed to solar particle event (SPE) radiation, which is comprised mostly of proton radiation. Proton radiation is also a treatment option for certain cancers. Both astronauts and clinical patients exposed to ionizing radiation are at risk for white blood cell (WBC) loss, which are the body’s main defense against infection. In this report, the effect of Neulasta treatment, a granulocyte colony stimulating factor, after proton radiation exposure is discussed. Mini pigs exposed to total body proton irradiation at a dose of 2 Gy received 4 treatments of either Neulasta or saline injections. Peripheral blood cell counts and thromboelastography parameters were recorded up to 30 days post-irradiation. Neulasta significantly improved white blood cell (WBC), specifically neutrophil, loss in irradiated animals by approximately 60% three days after the first injection, compared to the saline treated irradiated animals. Blood cell counts quickly decreased after the last Neulasta injection, suggesting a transient effect on WBC stimulation. Statistically significant changes in hemostasis parameters were observed after proton radiation exposure in both the saline and Neulasta treated irradiated groups, as well internal organ complications such as pulmonary changes. In conclusion, Neulasta treatment temporarily alleviates proton radiation-induced WBC loss, but has no effect on altered hemostatic responses.

Despite years of research, understanding of the space radiation environment and the risk it poses to long-duration astronauts remains limited. There is a disparity between research results and observed empirical effects seen in human astronaut crews, likely due to the numerous factors that limit terrestrial simulation of the complex space environment and extrapolation of human clinical consequences from varied animal models. Given the intended future of human spaceflight, with efforts now to rapidly expand capabilities for human missions to the moon and Mars, there is a pressing need to improve upon the understanding of the space radiation risk, predict likely clinical outcomes of interplanetary radiation exposure, and develop appropriate and effective mitigation strategies for future missions. To achieve this goal, the space radiation and aerospace community must recognize the historical limitations of radiation research and how such limitations could be addressed in future research endeavors. We have sought to highlight the numerous factors that limit understanding of the risk of space radiation for human crews and to identify ways in which these limitations could be addressed for improved understanding and appropriate risk posture regarding future human spaceflight., Comment: Accepted for publication by Nature Microgravity (2018)

Recent evidence has suggested that disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) plays an integral role in death at the LD 50 dose of either gamma or solar particle event (SPE)-like proton radiation in ferrets. In these studies, Yucatan minipigs were evaluated to determine whether they were susceptible to the development of radiation induced DIC. Yucatan minipigs were exposed to a dose of 2.5 Gray (Gy) with X-rays and monitored over the course of 30 days. Evidence of DIC was evaluated by way of thromboelastometry parameters, platelet counts, fibrinogen concentration, and the d-dimer assay. Pigs exposed to X-rays developed signs of DIC within 2 days' post-irradiation. The development of DIC was exacerbated over the course of the studies, and one of the pigs died at day 14 and another had to be euthanized on day 16 post-irradiation. For both of these pigs, DIC was evident at the time of death. The following observations were indicated or were suggestive of DIC: whole blood clotting was impaired (as evidenced by thromboelastometry alterations), there were decreased platelet counts, elevated d-dimer concentrations in the blood, and/or hemorrhaging and the presence of fibrin in tissues observed during post-mortem examination. The extrapolation of data from these studies, in combination with other published data, have led to the hypothesis that there could be a correlation between the propensity to develop DIC, as indicated by hemorrhaging at death at relatively low doses of radiation, and the LD 50 for a particular species. Our data suggest that the development of DIC may contribute to death at the LD 50 dose in large mammals.

Astronauts traveling in space missions outside of low Earth orbit will be exposed for longer times to a microgravity environment. In addition, the increased travel time involved in exploration class missions will result in an increased risk of exposure to significant doses of solar particle event (SPE) radiation. Both conditions could significantly affect the number of circulating blood cells. Therefore, it is critical to determine the combined effects of exposure to both microgravity and SPE radiation. The purpose of the present study was to assess these risks by evaluating the effects of SPE-like proton radiation and/or microgravity, as simulated with the hindlimb unloading (HU) system, on circulating blood cells using mouse as a model system. The results indicate that exposure to HU alone caused minimal or no significant changes in mouse circulating blood cell numbers. The exposure of mice to SPE-like proton radiation with or without HU treatment caused a significant decrease in the number of circulating lymphocytes, granulocytes and platelets. The reduced numbers of circulating lymphocytes, granulocytes, and platelets, resulting from the SPE-like proton radiation exposure, with or without HU treatment, in mice suggest that astronauts participating in exploration class missions may be at greater risk of developing infections and thrombotic diseases; thus, countermeasures may be necessary for these biological endpoints.

Exposure of the whole body or a major portion of the body to ionizing radiation can result in Acute Radiation Sickness (ARS), which can cause symptoms that range from mild to severe, and include death. One of the syndromes that can occur during ARS is the hematopoietic syndrome, which is characterized by a reduction in bone marrow cells as well as the number of circulating blood cells. Doses capable of causing this syndrome can result from conventional radiation therapy and accidental exposure to ionizing radiation. It is of concern that this syndrome could also occur during space exploration class missions in which astronauts could be exposed to significant doses of solar particle event (SPE) radiation. Of particular concern is the reduction of lymphocytes and granulocytes, which are major components of the immune system. A significant reduction in their numbers can compromise the immune system, causing a higher risk for the development of infections which could jeopardize the success of the mission. Although there are no specific countermeasures utilized for the ARS resulting from exposure to space radiation(s), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) has been proposed as a countermeasure for the low number of neutrophils caused by SPE radiation, but so far no countermeasure exists for a reduced number of circulating lymphocytes. The present study demonstrates that orally administered fructose significantly increases the number of peripheral lymphocytes reduced by exposure of mice to 2 Gy of gamma- or SPE-like proton radiation, making it a potential countermeasure for this biological end-point.

As part of a program to assess the adverse biological effects expected from astronaut exposure to space radiation, numerous different biological effects relating to astronaut health have been evaluated. There has been major focus recently on the assessment of risks related to exposure to solar particle event (SPE) radiation. The effects related to various types of space radiation exposure that have been evaluated are: gene expression changes (primarily associated with programmed cell death and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling), oxidative stress, gastrointestinal tract bacterial translocation and immune system activation, peripheral hematopoietic cell counts, emesis, blood coagulation, skin, behavior/fatigue (including social exploration, submaximal exercise treadmill and spontaneous locomotor activity), heart functions, alterations in biological endpoints related to astronaut vision problems (lumbar puncture/intracranial pressure, ocular ultrasound and histopathology studies), and survival, as well as long-term effects such as cancer and cataract development. A number of different countermeasures have been identified that can potentially mitigate or prevent the adverse biological effects resulting from exposure to space radiation.

In previously performed animal studies and Phase I–II human trials, Bowman-Birk inhibitor concentrate (BBIC) appeared to be a promising cancer chemopreventive agent. The present study describes the results of two phase I randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trials performed in male subjects to assess the safety and toxicity of the original and new formulations of BBIC administered in a single dose as a suspension in orange juice. The dose of BBIC varied from 800–2,000 chymotrypsin inhibitor (CI) units. The BBI concentration in the serum samples collected from the subjects was analyzed by a dot-blot analysis procedure using the 5G2 monoclonal antibody, which is specific for reduced BBI. A total of 41 subjects were enrolled, 20 in the initial BBIC study and 21 in the second BBIC study. In these human trials, no clinically relevant changes in hematological or biochemical parameters were observed. Overall, BBIC was found to be well-tolerated. For these BBIC single-dose phase I trials, there was no dose-limiting toxicity for BBIC, even at the highest dose evaluated, and there were no apparent differences between the clinical trial results for the two formulations of BBIC. The bioavailability of BBI in the second clinical trial, which used the new BBIC formulation, was approximately 40 to 43% of the BBI bioavailability reached in the first clinical trial, which used the original BBIC formulation. The observed bioavailability difference was attributed to the different BBIC formulations used in these two clinical trials. These trials demonstrated that BBIC is safe when administered in a single dose of up to 2,000 CI units. Therefore, the results from the two trials indicate that a multi-dose trial of BBIC may be safely performed with doses of up to 2,000 CI units per day.

D-dimer plasma levels were evaluated to determine whether they are altered by radiation. D-dimer levels were measured in radiation oncology patients, who were diagnosed with prostate, breast or lung cancer, or leukemia, as well as in healthy subjects serving as controls. Blood samples from radiotherapy patients were taken at three different time points: pre-, on- and post-radiotherapy. For the patients, considered together, differences between the D-dimer levels at these three time points compared to controls were statistically significant. Compared to the pre-radiotherapy measurements, radiation exposure was associated with a significant increase in the D-dimer levels at the on- and post-radiotherapy time points. At the post-radiotherapy time point, D-dimer levels in the patients were not significantly reduced compared to the on-radiotherapy levels, indicating that the risk for developing disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) may be increased in some radiation oncology patients. Of particular concern are the post-radiotherapy results observed for the D-dimer levels in the leukemia patients, in which the average fold increase in the D-dimer levels was 5.43 (compared to the pre-radiotherapy levels). These results suggest that leukemia patients might benefit from frequent assessment of their D-dimer levels after their total-body irradiation-conditioning regimen to detect early signs of DIC development. It is hoped that the results described here will lead to heightened awareness in the radiation oncology community that the risk of DIC development is greatly increased in some of these patients.

Colorimetric staining techniques such as immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence (IF) and histochemistry (HC) provide useful information regarding the localization and relative amount of a molecule/substance in skin. We have developed a novel, straightforward method to assess colorimetric staining by combining features from two open-source software programs. As a proof of principle, we demonstrate the utility of this approach by analysing changes in skin melanin deposition during the radiation-induced tanning response of Yucatan mini-pigs. This method includes a visualization step to validate the accuracy of colour selection before quantitation to ensure accuracy. The data show that this method is robust and will provide a means to obtain accurate comparative analyses of staining in IHC/IF/HC samples.

The present study was undertaken to determine relative biological effectiveness (RBE) values for simulated solar particle event (SPE) radiation on peripheral blood cells using Yucatan minipigs and electron-simulated SPE as the reference radiation. The results demonstrated a generally downward trend in the RBE values with increasing doses of simulated SPE radiation for leukocytes in the irradiated animals. The fitted RBE values for white blood cells (WBCs), lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes and eosinophils were above 1.0 in all three radiation dose groups at all time-points evaluated, and the lower limits of the 95% confidence intervals were > 1.0 in the majority of the dose groups at different time-points, which together suggest that proton-simulated SPE radiation is more effective than electron-simulated SPE radiation in reducing the number of peripheral WBCs, lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes and eosinophils, especially at the low end of the 5–10 Gy dose range evaluated. Other than the RBE values, the responses of leukocytes to electron-simulated SPE radiation and proton-simulated SPE radiation exposure are highly similar with respect to the time-course, the most radiosensitive cell type (the lymphocytes), and the shape of the dose–response curves, which is generally log-linear. These findings provide additional evidence that electron-simulated SPE radiation is an appropriate reference radiation for determination of RBE values for the simulated SPE radiations, and the RBE estimations using electron-simulated SPE radiation as the reference radiation are not complicated by other characteristics of the leukocyte response to radiation exposure.

Ionizing radiation (IR) generates free radicals that interact randomly with a range of intracellular biomolecules that can result in lethal cellular injury. Therefore, IR-inflicted damage is a highly complex interplay of vastly different pathophysiological processes, including inflammation, epithelial regeneration, tissue remodeling, and fibrosis. The development of safe and effective radioprotectors that protect normal tissues following IR exposure is highly desirable. It was previously shown that dietary supplementation with an antioxidant (AOX) diet containing SeM (0.06 μg/g diet), α-lipoic acid (85.7 μg/g diet), NAC (171.4 μg/g diet), sodium ascorbate (142.8 μg/g diet), and vitamin E succinate (71.4μg/ g diet) was an effective countermeasure to lethality in mice following γ-radiation (GR) and proton radiation (PR). ( 1) (,) ( 2) Here we are examining the effect of the AOX diet on global gene expression following RBE-weighted doses of GR (7.0 Gy) and PR (6.4 Gy) in an attempt to gain further insight into the molecular mechanism of action of AOX diet in the context of radiation exposure. The AOX diet altered the expression pattern of several pro- and anti-apoptotic genes. Our data suggest that the AOX diet may alter IL6 signaling following GR and completely block the expression of the prokineticin PROK2, the ligand to the G protein-coupled receptors PROKR1 and PROKR2, which are involved in a number of pathophysiological processes.

Ionizing radiation associated with highly energetic and charged heavy (HZE) particles poses a danger to astronauts during space travel. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the patterns of gene expression associated with cellular exposure to low-dose iron ion irradiation, in the presence and absence of L-selenomethionine (SeM). Human thyroid epithelial cells (HTori-3) were exposed to low-dose iron ion (1 GeV/n) irradiation at 10 or 20 cGy with or without SeM pretreatment. The cells were harvested 6 and 16 h post-irradiation and analyzed by the Affymetrix U133Av2 gene chip arrays. Genes exhibiting a 1.5-fold expression cut-off and 5% false discovery rate (FDR) were considered statistically significant and subsequently analyzed using the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) for pathway analysis. Representative genes were further validated by real-time RT-PCR. Even at low doses of radiation from iron ions, global genome profiling of the irradiated cells revealed the upregulation of genes associated with the activation of stress-related signaling pathways (ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, p53 signaling, cell cycle and apoptosis), which occurred in a dose-dependent manner. A 24-h pretreatment with SeM was shown to reduce the radiation effects by mitigating stress-related signaling pathways and downregulating certain genes associated with cell adhesion. The mechanism by which SeM prevents radiation-induced transformation in vitro may involve the suppression of the expression of genes associated with stress-related signaling and certain cell adhesion events.

Purpose : To determine whether proton radiation affects coagulation. Material and methods : Ferrets were exposed to solar particle event-like proton radiation at doses of 0, 25, 100, or 200 centigray (cGy), and dose rates of 50 cGy/minute (high dose rate or HDR) or 50 cGy/hour (low dose rate or LDR). Plasma was isolated from blood collected prior to radiation exposure and at 3 – 7 h postradiation. Prothrombin time (PT) assays and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) assays were performed as were mixing studies to determine the coagulation factors involved. Results : HDR and LDR exposure led to statistically signifi cant increases in PT values. It was determined that the HDR-induced increase in PT was due to Factor VII, while Factors II, V, and VII contributed to the LDR-induced increase in PT values. Only acute LDR exposure caused an increase in aPTT values, which remained elevated for 48 h post-irradiation (which was the latest time assayed in these studies). Mixing studies revealed that Factor IX contributed to the increased aPTT values. A majority of the animals exposed at the LDR had an International Normalized Ratio approaching or surpassing 2.0. Conclusions : PT/aPTT assays resulted in increased clotting times due to diff erent coagulation factors, indicating potential radiation-induced coagulopathy.

Animal models are frequently used to assist in the determination of the long- and short-term effects of space flight. The space environment, including microgravity, can impact many physiological and immunological system parameters. It has been found that ground based models of microgravity produce changes in white blood cell counts, which negatively affects immunologic function. As part of the Center of Acute Radiation Research (CARR), we compared the acute effects on white blood cell parameters induced by the more traditionally used animal model of hindlimb unloading (HU) with a recently developed reduced weightbearing analog known as partial weight suspension (PWS). Female ICR mice were either hindlimb unloaded or placed in the PWS system at 16% quadrupedal weightbearing for 4 h, 1, 2, 7 or 10 days, at which point complete blood counts were obtained. Control animals (jacketed and non-jacketed) were exposed to identical conditions without reduced weightbearing. Results indicate that significant changes in total white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte and eosinophil counts were observed within the first 2 days of exposure to each system. These differences in blood cell counts normalized by day 7 in both systems. The results of these studies indicate that there are some statistically significant changes observed in the blood cell counts for animals exposed to both the PWS and HU simulated microgravity systems.

To determine whether differences exist between proton and electron radiations on biological responses after total-body exposure.ICR mice (n=45) were irradiated to 2 Gray (Gy) using fully modulated 70 MeV protons (0.5 Gy/min) and 21 MeV electrons (3 Gy/min). At 36 h post-irradiation liver gene expression, white blood cell (WBC), natural killer (NK) cell and other analyses were performed.Oxidative stress-related gene expression patterns were strikingly different for irradiated groups compared to 0 Gy (P0.05). Proton radiation up-regulated 15 genes (Ctsb, Dnm2, Gpx5, Il19, Il22, Kif9, Lpo, Nox4, Park7, Prdx4, Prdx6, Rag2, Sod3, Srxn1, Xpa) and down-regulated 2 genes (Apoe, Prdx1). After electron irradiation, 20 genes were up-regulated (Aass, Ctsb, Dnm2, Gpx1, Gpx4, Gpx5, Gpx6, Gstk1, Il22, Kif9, Lpo, Nox4, Park7, Prdx3, Prdx4, Prdx5, Rag2, Sod1, Txnrd3, Xpa) and 1 was down-regulated (Mpp4). Of the modified genes, only 11 were common to both forms of radiation. Comparison between the two irradiated groups showed that electrons significantly up-regulated three genes (Gstk1, Prdx3, Scd1). Numbers of WBC and major leukocyte types were low in the irradiated groups (P0.001 vs. 0 Gy). Hemoglobin and platelet counts were low in the electron-irradiated group (P0.05 vs. 0 Gy). However, spleens from electron-irradiated mice had higher WBC and lymphocyte counts, as well as enhanced NK cell cytotoxicity, compared to animals exposed to protons (P0.05). There were no differences between the two irradiated groups in body mass, organ masses, and other assessed parameters, although some differences were noted compared to 0 Gy.Collectively, the data demonstrate that at least some biological effects induced by electrons may not be directly extrapolated to protons.

In a solar particle event (SPE), an unshielded astronaut would receive proton radiation with an energy profile that produces a highly inhomogeneous dose distribution (skin receiving a greater dose than internal organs). The novel concept of using megavoltage electron-beam radiation to more accurately reproduce both the total dose and the dose distribution of SPE protons and make meaningful RBE comparisons between protons and conventional radiation has been described previously. Here, Yucatan minipigs were used to determine the effects of a superficial, SPE-like proton dose distribution using megavoltage electrons. In these experiments, dose-dependent increases in skin pigmentation, ulceration, keratinocyte necrosis and pigment incontinence were observed. Five of 18 animals (one each exposed to 7.5 Gy and 12.5 Gy radiation and three exposed to 25 Gy radiation) developed symptomatic, radiation-associated pneumonopathy approximately 90 days postirradiation. The three animals from the highest dose group showed evidence of mycoplasmal pneumonia along with radiation pneumonitis. Moreover, delayed-type hypersensitivity was found to be altered, suggesting that superficial irradiation of the skin with ionizing radiation might cause immune dysfunction or dysregulation. In conclusion, using total doses, patterns of dose distribution, and dose rates that are compatible with potential astronaut exposure to SPE radiation, animals experienced significant toxicities that were qualitatively different from toxicities previously reported in pigs for homogeneously delivered radiation at similar doses.

Radiation exposure in space is expected to increase the risk of cancer and other adverse biological effects in astronauts. The types of space radiation of particular concern for astronaut health are protons and heavy ions known as high atomic number and high energy (HZE) particles. Recent studies have indicated that carcinogenesis induced by protons and HZE particles may be modifiable. We have been evaluating the effects of proton and HZE particle radiation in cultured human cells and animals for nearly a decade. Our results indicate that exposure to proton and HZE particle radiation increases oxidative stress, cytotoxicity, cataract development and malignant transformation in in vivo and/or in vitro experimental systems. We have also shown that these adverse biological effects can be prevented, at least partially, by treatment with antioxidants and some dietary supplements that are readily available and have favorable safety profiles. Some of the antioxidants and dietary supplements are effective in preventing radiation induced malignant transformation in vitro even when applied several days after the radiation exposure. Our recent progress is reviewed and discussed in the context of the relevant literature.

We have previously reported data from a long-term carcinogenesis study indicating that dietary antioxidant supplements can suppress radiation-induced malignant lymphoma and harderian gland tumors induced by space radiations (specifically, 1 GeV/n iron ions or protons) in CBA/J mice. Two different antioxidant dietary supplements were used in these studies: a supplement containing a mixture of antioxidant agents [l-selenomethionine (SeM), N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), ascorbic acid, co-enzyme Q10, α-lipoic acid and vitamin E succinate], termed the AOX supplement, and another supplement known as Bowman-Birk Inhibitor Concentrate (BBIC). In the present report, the results from the earlier analysis of the harderian gland data from the published long-term animal study have been combined with new data derived from the same long-term animal study. In the earlier analysis, harderian glands were removed from animals exhibiting abnormalities (e.g. visibly swollen areas) around the eyes at the time of euthanasia or death in the long-term animal study. Abnormalities around the eyes were usually due to the development of tumors in the harderian glands of these mice. The new data presented here focused on the histopathological results obtained from analyses of the harderian glands of mice that did not have visible abnormalities around the eyes at the time of necropsy in the long-term animal study. In this paper, the original published data and the new data have been combined to provide a more complete evaluation of the harderian glands from animals in the long-term carcinogenesis study, with all available harderian glands from the animals processed and prepared for histopathological evaluation. The results indicate that, although dietary antioxidant supplements suppressed harderian gland tumors in a statistically significant fashion when all glands were analyzed, the antioxidant diets were less effective at suppressing the incidence of all harderian gland tumors than they were at suppressing the incidence of large harderian gland tumors (2 mm) observed at animal necropsy. These results suggest that the dietary antioxidant formulations had major suppressive effects in the later stages of radiation-induced carcinogenesis in vivo. It is hypothesized that the dietary antioxidant formulations prevented the early-stage neoplastic growths from progressing to fully developed, malignant tumors. In addition, the antioxidant dietary formulations were very effective at preventing the development of proton- or iron-ion-induced malignant tumors, because, in contrast to irradiated controls, no malignant tumors were observed in the irradiated animals maintained on either of the dietary antioxidant diets.

Introduction: Epidemiologic observations have suggested a protective effect of soybeans against a number of epithelial cancers including oral malignancies and by inference precursor lesions such as leukoplakia. Several compounds in soybeans have shown activity in preclinical models; we have focused our studies on BBI (Bowman-Birk inhibitor), which is active against the protease chymotrypsin. Our phase I trial demonstrated a very low toxicity profile and a 31% response rate in a 1-month nonrandomized study that was associated with favorable modulation of protease activity and neu oncogene in exfoliated buccal mucosal cells (EBMC). Methods: An intent-to-treat(ITT) randomized placebo (Quaker mass harina, a corn flour)-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of a soybean concentrate (C) of BBI (600 C.I. units) was performed in a multinstitutional investigation (7 sites). The study duration was 6 months and included pre/interim/postevaluation of lesions sizes and pre/post photographic assessments and oral mucosa biopsies(with post central pathology review) of the involved area(s). Intermediate biomarkers (IBM) included serial measurements of EBMC neu protein (ng/mg) and protease (Delrfu/min/ug protein) and serum neu protein (ng/ml). 325 patients underwent preliminary screening and 148 per protocol eligible were enrolled. Of these, 132 were randomized and 105 completed 6 months on study. All data on lesion sizes, photo judgments, and pathology indications of degree of abnormality or change in abnormality were entered into SAS datasets and subjected to 100% verification against the crf forms by the statistician. The several IBM measurements were converted from the original Microsoft Excel sheets into SAS data sets, and subject to spot checks against the original spreadsheets. Similarly, host-factor information from the questionnaires was spot checked against the original records. In all cases, the primary, per-protocol analyses was ITT. The per-protocol, intent-to-treat cohort, and all other categorizations of study participants will also be described with appropriate descriptive summary measures. Results: The ITT data set is composed of all those with valid, two-dimensional measurements on all lesions observed at both the randomization and 6-month visit. 89 evaluable patients met these criteria: 43 in the treatment and 46 in the placebo group. For the BBIC group, the mean relative percent change in total lesion area was −20.6% and for the placebo group −17.1%. Clinical responses for the 89 patients were: four showed a complete response (4.5%), 22 showed a partial response (25%), 53 showed stable disease (60%), and 10 showed disease progression (11.2%). For the drug group the CR+PR(>50% change) was 27.91% and for placebo group 30.43%. Neither the lesion size nor response comparisons demonstrated differences between the two groups that were significantly different (p>0.05). Photos of the same lesion at baseline and at the 6-month exam were available for 91 participants. Five qualified reviewers made judgments of the degree of change in abnormality on a seven-point scale, blinded to study arm and timepoint of photos. For mean comparison scores, 1 was substantial improvement over time, 4 indicated no change and 7 meaning much worse decline over time. Preliminary assessments of 77% of the patients having pre/post photos indicates that there were no significant differences between the placebo and treatment groups. Conclusion: BBIC is not effective as a chemoprevention agent for the management of oral leukoplakia. Central pathology review by two reviewers is near completion, but is unlikely to affect this conclusion. Final measurements of the three biomarkers should be available by the time of presentation and subanalysis will be presented for the two groups and for the patients who seemed to have had a clinical response. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(12 Suppl):CN02-05.

The present study evaluated the acute effects of radiation dose, dose rate and fractionation as well as the energy of protons in hematopoietic cells of irradiated mice. The mice were irradiated with a single dose of 51.24 MeV protons at a dose of 2 Gy and a dose rate of 0.05–0.07 Gy/min or 1 GeV protons at doses of 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 Gy delivered in a single dose at dose rates of 0.05 or 0.5 Gy/min or in five daily dose fractions at a dose rate of 0.05 Gy/min. Sham-irradiated animals were used as controls. The results demonstrate a dose-dependent loss of white blood cells (WBCs) and lymphocytes by up to 61% and 72%, respectively, in mice irradiated with protons at doses up to 2 Gy. The results also demonstrate that the dose rate, fractionation pattern and energy of the proton radiation did not have significant effects on WBC and lymphocyte counts in the irradiated animals. These results suggest that the acute effects of proton radiation on WBC and lymphocyte counts are determined mainly by the radiation dose, with very little contribution from the dose rate (over the range of dose rates evaluated), fractionation and energy of the protons.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the ability of dietary supplements to reduce the formation and severity of cataracts in mice irradiated with high-energy protons or iron ions, which are important components of the radiation encountered by astronauts during space travel. The mice were exposed to proton or iron-ion radiation and fed with a control diet or diets supplemented with the soybean-derived protease inhibitor, Bowman-Birk inhibitor (BBI), in the form of BBI Concentrate (BBIC) or an antioxidant formulation [containing l-selenomethionine (SeM), N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), ascorbic acid, co-enzyme Q10, alpha-lipoic acid and vitamin E succinate] both before and after the radiation exposure. At approximately 2 years after the radiation exposure, the animals were killed humanely and lenses were harvested and characterized using an established classification system that assigns discrete scores based on the severity of the lens opacifications. The results showed that exposure to 1 GeV/nucleon proton (3 Gy) or iron-ion (50 cGy) radiation significantly increased the cataract prevalence and severity in CBA/J mice to levels above the baseline levels of age-induced cataract formation in this mouse strain. Treatment with BBIC or the antioxidant formulation significantly reduced the prevalence and severity of the lens opacifications in the mice exposed to iron-ion radiation. Treatment with BBIC or the antioxidant formulation also decreased the severity of the lens opacifications in the mice exposed to proton radiation; however, the decrease did not reach statistical significance. These results indicate that BBIC and the antioxidant formulation evaluated in this study could be useful for protecting astronauts against space radiation-induced cataracts during or after long-term manned space missions.

It is known that numerous factors can influence radiation carcinogenesis in animals; these factors include the specific characteristics of the radiation (radiation type and dose, dose-rate, dose-fractionation, dose distribution, etc.) as well as many other contributing elements that are not specific to the radiation exposure, such as animal genetic characteristics and age, the environment of the animal, dietary factors and whether specific modifying agents for radiation carcinogenesis have been utilized in the studies. This overview focuses on the modifying factors for radiation carcinogenesis, in both in vivo and in vitro systems, and includes a discussion of agents that enhance (e.g., promoting agents) or suppress (e.g., cancer preventive agents) radiation-induced carcinogenesis. The agents that enhance or suppress radiation carcinogenesis in experimental model systems have been shown to lead to effects equally as large as other known modifying factors for radiation-induced carcinogenesis (e.g., dose-rate, dose-fractionation, linear energy transfer). It is known that dietary factors play an important role in determining the yields of radiation-induced cancers in animal model systems, and it is likely that they also influence radiation-induced cancer risks in human populations.

Proton radiation (PR) therapy offers a number of potential advantages over conventional (photon) gamma-radiation (GR) therapy for cancer, due to a more localized delivery of the radiation dose. However, the pathophysiological effects following PR-exposure are less well characterized than those of GR-exposure and the molecular changes associated with the acute apoptotic effects in mice in vivo following PR have not been elucidated. Previous studies have estimated the RBE of protons for various in vivo and in vitro endpoints at between 1.1 and 1.3. We assumed an RBE of 1.1 for the endpoints to be evaluated in these studies. Based on this assumption, ICR mice were treated with whole-body doses of GR (1.1 and 7.0 Gy) and PR (1.0 and 6.4 Gy) that were expected to represent RBE-weighted doses. The bone marrow, thymus, spleen and GI-tract were isolated and processed for histology and immunohistochemistry. The apoptotic responses varied greatly between GR and PR in a tissue- and dose-dependent manner. Surprisingly,cell death in the splenic white pulp was consistently lower in PR-treated animals compared to animals treated with GR. This was in spite of an increased presence of damaged DNA following PR as determined by staining for gammaH2AX and phospho-ATM. Interestingly, both PR and GR triggered nuclear accumulation of p53 and no significant differences were found in the majority of the known pro-apoptotic p53-target genes in the spleens of treated mice. However, GR uniquely triggered a pro-apoptotic expression profile including expression of the pro-apoptotic, p53- and interferon stimulated target gene Bcl-G. In contrast to PR, GR may, in a cell type specific manner, trigger a more diverse non-random stress-response that mediates apoptosis partially independent of the extent of DNA damage.

Bowman-Birk inhibitor concentrate (BBIC), a soy extract with high protease inhibitor activity, is efficacious in the treatment of colitis in mice and has been used in numerous clinical trials. A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed to investigate the safety and possible benefits of BBIC in patients with active ulcerative colitis. The Sutherland Disease Activity Index (SDAI) was used to assess disease activity, response (Index decrease > or = 3), and remission (Index < or = 1 with no rectal bleeding) in patients receiving 12 weeks of therapy. The Index scores of patients receiving BBIC decreased more than those of the patients receiving placebo (P = 0.067). Beneficial trends were observed in the rates of remission (P = 0.082) and clinical response (P = 0.22). No severe adverse events were observed. This trial suggests a potential benefit over placebo for both achieving clinical response and induction of remission in patients with active ulcerative colitis without apparent toxicity.

Antigravity muscles atrophy and weaken during prolonged mechanical unloading caused by bed rest or spaceflight. Unloading also induces oxidative stress in muscle, a putative cause of weakness. We tested the hypothesis that dietary supplementation with Bowman-Birk inhibitor concentrate (BBIC), a soy protein extract, would oppose these changes. Adult mice were fed a diet supplemented with 1% BBIC during hindlimb unloading for up to 12 days. Soleus muscles of mice fed the BBIC-supplemented diet weighed less, developed less force per cross-sectional area, and developed less total force after unloading than controls. BBIC supplementation was protective, blunting decrements in soleus muscle weight and force. Cytosolic oxidant activity was assessed using 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescin diacetate. Oxidant activity increased in unloaded muscle, peaking at 3 days and remaining elevated through 12 days of unloading. Increases in oxidant activity correlated directly with loss of muscle mass and were abolished by BBIC supplementation. In vitro assays established that BBIC directly buffers reactive oxygen species and also inhibits serine protease activity. We conclude that dietary supplementation with BBIC protects skeletal muscle during prolonged unloading, promoting redox homeostasis in muscle fibers and blunting atrophy-induced weakness.

Ionizing radiation can produce adverse biological effects in astronauts during space travel. Of particular concern are the types of radiation from highly energetic, heavy, charged particles known as HZE particles. The aims of our studies are to characterize HZE particle radiation induced biological effects and evaluate the effects of L-selenomethionine (SeM) on these adverse biological effects. In this study, microarray technology was used to measure HZE radiation induced changes in gene expression, as well as to evaluate modulation of these changes by SeM. Human thyroid epithelial cells (HTori-3) were irradiated (1 GeV/n iron ions) in the presence or in the absence of 5 microM SeM. At 6 h post-irradiation, all cells were harvested for RNA isolation. Gene Chip U133Av2 from Affymetrix was used for the analysis of gene expression, and ANOVA and EASE were used for a determination of the genes and biological processes whose differential expression is statistically significant. Results of this microarray study indicate that exposure to small doses of radiation from HZE particles, 10 and 20 cGy from iron ions, induces statistically significant differential expression of 196 and 610 genes, respectively. In the presence of SeM, differential expression of 77 out of 196 genes (exposure to 10 cGy) and 336 out of 610 genes (exposure to 20 cGy) is abolished. In the presence or in the absence of SeM, radiation from HZE particles induces differential expression of genes whose products have roles in the induction of G1/S arrest during the mitotic cell cycle, as well as heat shock proteins. Some of the genes, whose expressions were affected by radiation from HZE particles and were unchanged in irradiated cells treated with SeM, have been shown to have altered expression levels in cancer cells. The conclusions of this report are that radiation from HZE particles can induce differential expression of many genes, some of which are known to play roles in the same processes that have been shown to be activated in cells exposed to radiation from photons (like cell cycle arrest in G1/S), and that supplementation with SeM abolishes HZE particle-induced differential expression of many genes. Understanding the roles that these genes play in the radiation-induced transformation of cells may help to decipher the origins of radiation-induced cancer.

The space environment exposes astronauts to risks of acute and chronic exposure to ionizing radiation. Of particular concern is possible exposure to ionizing radiation from a solar particle event (SPE). During an SPE, magnetic disturbances in specific regions of the Sun result in the release of intense bursts of ionizing radiation, primarily consisting of protons that have a highly variable energy spectrum. Thus, SPE events can lead to significant total body radiation exposures to astronauts in space vehicles and especially while performing extravehicular activities. Simulated energy profiles suggest that SPE radiation exposures are likely to be highest in the skin. In the current report, we have used our established miniature pig model system to evaluate the skin toxicity of simulated SPE radiation exposures that closely resemble the energy and fluence profile of the September, 1989 SPE using either conventional radiation (electrons) or proton simulated SPE radiation. Exposure of animals to electron or proton radiation led to dose-dependent increases in epidermal pigmentation, the presence of necrotic keratinocytes at the dermal-epidermal boundary and pigment incontinence, manifested by the presence of melanophages in the derm is upon histological examination. We also observed epidermal hyperplasia and a reduction in vascular density at 30 days following exposure to electron or proton simulated SPE radiation. These results suggest that the doses of electron or proton simulated SPE radiation results in significant skin toxicity that is quantitatively and qualitatively similar. Radiation-induced skin damage is often one of the first clinical signs of both acute and non-acute radiation injury where infection may occur, if not treated. In this report, histopathology analyses of acute radiation-induced skin injury are discussed.

During a major solar particle event (SPE), astronauts in space are at risk of exposure to an increased dose of proton radiation. The whole body distribution of the absorbed SPE proton dose is inhomogeneous, and such an inhomogeneous SPE proton dose can be simulated by electron radiation. Using Yucatan minipigs as an animal model, we compared the time courses of leukocyte count changes after exposure to proton simulated SPE (pSPE) radiation or electron simulated SPE (eSPE) radiation. The results demonstrated that the time required after irradiation to reach the lowest leukocyte counts was generally comparable between the pSPE and eSPE radiation exposures. However, the leukocyte count often recovered faster after electron irradiation compared to proton irradiation at the corresponding doses. In addition, the radiation dose required to achieve comparable magnitudes of leukocyte count decrease was higher in the eSPE animals than for the pSPE animals. In conclusion, based on the magnitude of the decrease and the time required to reach the lowest leukocyte counts after irradiation, the pSPE radiation was more effective than the eSPE radiation in reducing the peripheral leukocyte counts. Lymphocytes appeared to be the most sensitive type of leukocytes in response to either type of SPE radiation. It is particularly noteworthy that following exposure to pSPE radiation at the skin doses >5 Gy, the neutrophils do not recover from the radiation damage at times up to 30 days, and the neutrophils have not recovered to their baseline levels even at 90 days post-irradiation. These results suggest a marked difference in the ability of the neutrophils to recover from pSPE radiation compared with the results observed for eSPE radiation.

In the present study, the effect of protease inhibitors on c-myc expression in normal and transformed C3H 10T1/2 cells was examined. Steady-state c-myc RNA levels were reduced in normal proliferating C3H 10T1/2 cells grown in medium containing antipain, leupeptin, and Bowman Birk inhibitor (BBI). These protease inhibitors have been shown previously to suppress transformation yields in carcinogen-exposed cells. A lesser reduction in c-myc RNA levels was observed when cells were grown in the presence of protease inhibitors that do not suppress carcinogenesis and when transformed C3H 10T1/2 cell populations were grown in the presence of the anticarcinogenic protease inhibitors. Studies to determine the effects of antipain on the stability of the c-myc message and on c-myc transcription rates were also performed. The half-life of the c-myc message increased from 10 to 40 min when cells were grown in antipain; cycloheximide further stabilized the c-myc message. Interestingly, nuclear run-off experiments showed that antipain had no effect on c-myc transcription rates. These data suggest that proteases may be involved in the regulation of c-myc RNA expression in normal C3H 10T1/2 cells, possibly by a posttranscriptional mechanism.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the protective effects of the soybean-derived Bowman-Birk inhibitor (BBI), BBI concentrate (BBIC) and/or antioxidants against the adverse biological effects induced by space radiation in cultured human epithelial cells. The effects of BBI, BBIC and a combination of ascorbic acid, co-enzyme Q10, L-selenomethionine (SeM) and vitamin E succinate on proton and HZE-particle [high-energy (high E) nuclei of heavier (high atomic number, Z) elements] radiation-induced cytotoxicity in MCF10 human breast epithelial cells and a phenotypic change associated with transformation in HTori-3 human thyroid epithelial cells were assessed with a clonogenic survival assay and a soft agar colony formation assay. The results demonstrate that BBIC and antioxidants are effective in protecting against space radiation-induced cytotoxicity in MCF10 cells and BBI, BBIC and antioxidants are effective in protecting against a space radiation-induced phenotypic change associated with transformation of HTori-3 cells.

A standardized dichlorofluorescin (DCF) fluorometric assay capable of measuring radiation-induced oxidative stress was used to determine the effectiveness of protons and high-mass, high-atomic number (Z) and high-energy (HZE) particles to produce oxidative stress in vitro. Protons were found to be about equally as effective as X rays in the generation of oxidative stress in cultured cells. However, 56Fe-ion beams with energies of 1 GeV/nucleon and 5 GeV/nucleon were less effective than X rays or gamma rays in inducing dichlorofluorescin (DCFH) oxidation. The relatively lower slope values for the dose responses of HZE-particle radiation-induced DCFH oxidation indicate that the sensitivity of the DCF fluorometric assay is probably dependent on the linear energy transfer (LET) of the radiation beam.

Of particular concern for the health of astronauts during space travel is radiation from protons and high-mass, high-atomic-number (Z), and high-energy particles (HZE particles). Space radiation is known to induce oxidative stress in astronauts after extended space flight. In the present study, the total antioxidant status was used as a biomarker to evaluate oxidative stress induced by gamma rays, protons and HZE-particle radiation. The results demonstrate that the plasma level of total antioxidants in Sprague-Dawley rats was significantly decreased (P0.01) in a dose-dependent manner within 4 h after exposure to gamma rays. Exposure to protons and HZE-particle radiation also significantly decreased the serum or plasma level of total antioxidants in the irradiated animals. Diet supplementation with L-selenomethionine alone or a combination of selected antioxidant agents was shown to partially or completely prevent the decrease in the serum or plasma levels of total antioxidants in animals exposed to gamma rays, protons or HZE particles. These findings suggest that exposure to space radiation may compromise the capacity of the host antioxidant defense and that this adverse biological effect can be prevented at least partially by dietary supplementation with L-selenomethionine and antioxidants.

BACKGROUND Prostate specific antigen (PSA) has been widely used as a biomarker for the screening and diagnosis of prostate cancer. PSA in serum predominantly exists as a complex with α-1-antichymotrypsin (ACT), and measurement of free PSA and the PSA–ACT complex may improve the utility of the serum PSA assay for differential diagnosis of prostate cancer and non-malignant prostate diseases, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against PSA, ACT, and the PSA–ACT complex were produced by immunizing mice with an incubated mixture of PSA and ACT, and characterized by Western blot analyses and several enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) methods. RESULTS The MAbs produced in this study are capable of distinguishing the PSA–ACT complex from free PSA and ACT. Four MAbs have been selected and utilized to construct three ELISA systems for the separate measurements of free PSA, the PSA–ACT complex, and total PSA. CONCLUSIONS The three PSA assay systems developed in this study can specifically measure free PSA, total PSA, and the PSA–ACT complex with equal molar sensitivity. It is expected that these PSA assay systems could be useful in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Prostate 56: 131–141, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Aims: The Bowman-Birk inhibitor (BBI), is a serine protease inhibitor derived from soy beans, which is presently being evaluated in clinical trials for its ability to serve as a cancer preventive or anti-inflammatory agent. The form of BBI currently in clinical trials is known as Bowman-Birk inhibitor concentrate (BBIC). There have been anecdotal reports from patients of improved voiding and sexual functions in the ongoing BBIC trials. The objective of this study was to quantify the effect of BBI and BBIC on urethral and corporal smooth muscle activity. Methods: In vitro muscle strip studies of New Zealand White rabbit urethra/bladder neck and penile corpora in the presence or absence of BBI or BBIC incubation (5 mg/mL) were performed. Results: In dose-response curves to alpha stimulation, BBI mediated a shift to the right (decreased receptor sensitivity in bladder/urethra as well as corpora with no change in the maximal response). Bladder base/ urethra contraction by field stimulation was significantly inhibited by BBI at higher frequencies (1–32 Hz) (12.2 + 0.8 g vs. 6.3 + 0.75 g, P

The Bowman-Birk inhibitor (BBI) is a soybean-derived serine protease inhibitor with anticarcinogenic activities. BBI, in the form of BBI concentrate (BBIC), is currently being evaluated in clinical trials as a human cancer-preventive agent. In the present study, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure BBI concentrations in serum samples collected from human subjects and animals treated with BBIC. The results demonstrate that the serum BBI concentration was higher than the baseline level for the patients after treatment with BBIC at 100-800 chymotrypsin-inhibitor units/day for 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 6 mo. The increase in serum BBI concentration was also observed in dogs treated with BBIC at 100-1,000 mg/kg/day for 52 wk, and the increase was dose dependent. The results also indicate that anti-BBI antibodies were present in animals and the serum levels of anti-BBI antibodies increased significantly in mice treated with BBIC at 100-1,000 mg/kg/day for 15 and 26 wk. The increase in the serum level of anti-BBI antibodies in dogs treated with BBIC was not statistically significant, and no increase in the serum level of anti-BBI antibodies was observed in human subjects after BBIC treatment. These results suggest that orally ingested BBI is absorbed by human subjects and animals and that some animals develop antibodies to BBI in response to treatment with BBIC.

OBJECTIVE. Medical radiation exposure has increased sixfold since 1980 and is the largest controllable source of exposure. Many efforts have been devoted to reducing dose or eliminating unnecessary examinations but with limited success. The concern regarding nuclear terrorism has focused a large amount of attention on radioprotective drugs. The purpose of this article is twofold: to review the current concepts, potential, and limitations of chemical radioprotectants in reducing stochastic and deterministic effects and to assess the potential application to diagnostic and interventional medical radiation procedures.CONCLUSION. There are a wide variety of chemical compounds that have been studied for radioprotective effects. Although there is promising research, chemical radioprotectants have not been shown to be very effective and, with one limited exception, are not the standard of care in medicine.

This review is focused on sex and gender effects on immunological alterations occurring during space flight. Sex differences in immune function and the outcome of inflammatory, infectious, and autoimmune diseases are well documented. The work of the Immunology Workgroup identified numerous reasons why there could be sex and/or gender differences observed during and after spaceflight, but thus far, there has been very little investigation in this area of research. In most cases, this is due to either a low total number of subjects or the minimal number of female flight crew members available for these studies. Thus, the availability of a sufficient number of female subjects to enable statistical analysis of the data has been a limiting factor. As the inclusion of female crew members has increased in the recent past, such studies should be possible in the future. It is very difficult to obtain immunologic and infectious data in small animals that can be usefully extrapolated to humans undergoing spaceflight. Thus, it is recommended by the Immunology Workgroup that a greater emphasis be placed on studying astronauts themselves, with a focus on long-term evaluations of specific, known infectious risks.