Adaptive responses of living cells towards low-doses of radiation; induction of endogenous antioxidant system and its applicable possibility for treatment of diseases

Bacteria and mammalian cells show an adaptive response to oxidative stress. Pre-treatment with small amounts of oxidant induces resistance to the subsequent, otherwise lethal, doses of oxidant. Previous studies have shown that this adaptive response involves the induction of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), metallothionein, heat shock proteins, and other factors. The toxicity of ionizing radiation, particularly at low doses, to living cells, is thought to be due to reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. Thus, adaptive responses to low doses of ionizing radiation and to oxidants are likely to be similar. In this paper, the induction of endogenous glutathione (GSH) together with antioxidant enzymes induced by low-dose radiation was reviewed. Furthermore, the applicable possibility of this efficacy for the prevention of and/or therapy of various reactive oxygen species (ROS)-related diseases including Parkinson's diseases, aging, and diabetes, was discussed.