Title:Melatonin a Promising Candidate for DNA Double-Stranded Breaks Reduction in Patients Undergoing Abdomen-Pelvis Computed Tomography Examinations
Volume: 20
Issue: 7
Author(s): Ali Eskandari, Aziz Mahmoudzadeh, Alireza Shirazi , Farid Esmaely , Carla Carnovale and Mohsen Cheki *
Affiliation:
- Department of Radiologic Technology, Faculty of Paramedicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz,Iran
Keywords:
Melatonin, γH2AX, lymphocytes, computed tomography, radiation, DSB.
Abstract:
Background and Objective: Cancer incidence is 24% higher in children and young adults exposed to
Computed Tomography (CT) scans than those unexposed. Non-repairing of ionizing radiation-induced DNA
Double-Strand Breaks (DSBs) can initiate carcinogenesis. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the
radioprotective potential of melatonin against DSBs in peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients undergoing
abdomen-pelvis CT examinations.
Methods: This double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on thirty patients. These patients
were divided into two groups; group one (control) patients who have undergone the CT examination received a
single oral dose of placebo, while in group two, patients received a single oral dose of 100mg melatonin. In both
the groups, blood samples were collected 5-10min before and 30 minutes after the CT examination. The
lymphocytes from these samples were isolated and DSBs were analyzed using γH2AX immunofluorescence
microscopy.
Results: Compared to the control group, the use of melatonin 1h before the CT examination caused a significant
reduction in γH2AX-foci, indicating a reduction in DSBs. In addition, no side effect was observed in patients
following 100mg melatonin administration.
Conclusion: For the first time, this study has shown that melatonin has protective effects against radiationinduced
genotoxicity in peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients undergoing abdomen-pelvis CT examinations.
Therefore, melatonin can be considered as a promising candidate for reducing DSBs in patients undergoing
abdomen-pelvis CT examinations.