The Influence of N-acetylcysteine and Gender-Related Differences on the Radiosensitivity of Mouse Lymphocytes

The objective of the present study is to evaluate the possible efficiency of 200 mg/kg body weight N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on the radiosensitivity of mouse lymphocytes considering gender factor. The half of blood sample from mice was exposed to gamma-radiation (2 Gy). The time course of lymphocyte apotosis of irradiated samples was examined in vitro by flow cytometry and compared with lymphocytes from non-irradiated remaining half of samples. Kinetics of radiation-induced apoptosis was similar among groups, which peaked at 8 h. NAC protected irradiated lymphocytes in male mice. Lymphocytes from female mice were highly radiation resistant compared to males and the NAC provided no additional benefit at the doses used in this study. These results highlight that radiation-induced apoptosis is complex and is modified by the radio protector and gender.