Comparison of the Modifying Action of Astaxanthin on the Development of Radiation-Induced Chromosome Instability in Human Blood Lymphocytes Irradiated in vitro at Different Cell Cycle Stages

Abstract

This study presents the results and comparison of the distinctive features of the modifying effect of astaxanthin (20.0 μg/mL) on γ-radiation-induced chromosomal instability in human peripheral blood lymphocytes that were irradiated in vitro (1.0 Gy) at the G₀, S, and G₂ stages of the cell cycle. The study showed that the effect of astaxanthin on cells irradiated at cell cycle stages S and G₂ did not lead to changes in the mean frequencies and the spectrum of radiation-induced chromosomal aberrations (p > 0.05). A powerful protective effect of astaxanthin on the level of radiation-induced chromosomal instability (p < 0.001) was observed only in cells that were irradiated at the G₀ stage. Thus, the dependence of the radioprotective effect of astaxanthin on the mitotic cycle stage at which the cells were exposed to radiation was established.