Modulation of Ionizing Radiation-Induced Apoptosis by Taurine in Human Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes: Flow Cytometry-based Quantification

Background: Radiotherapy, a highly effective method of radiation-based treating cancers, can reduce the size of tumors and affect healthy tissues. Radiation-induced lymphopenia as a side effect of radiation therapy can reduce the effectiveness of the treatment. Objective: This study aimed to examine how taurine can protect peripheral blood lymphocytes from radiation-based apoptosis. Material and Methods: In this experimental study, the effects of the taurine on lymphocytes were studied, and blood samples were divided into three groups: a negative control group that was not treated, a positive control group that was treated with cysteine (۱۰۰ μg/ml), and a group that was treated with taurine (۱۰۰ µg. mL-۱) in three different doses (۴, ۸ & ۱۲ Gy) before irradiation. The percentage of apoptotic and necrotic lymphocytes was measured using flow cytometry ۴۸ and ۷۲ hours after the irradiation, respectively. Results: According to the groups treated with taurine, the number of lymphocytes undergoing apoptosis was lower and higher compared to the negative and positive control groups, respectively. The decrease in this value was more pronounced ۴۸ hours after radiation compared to ۷۲ hours. Furthermore, there was a slight increase in the number of apoptotic lymphocytes with increasing radiation dose.  Conclusion: Taurine effectively protects human peripheral blood lymphocytes from radiation-based apoptosis.

Keywords:

Taurine , apoptosis , Flow cytometry , Lymphocyte , Radioprotective , Ionizing radiation