Radioprotective effect of creatine on DNA damage in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and adaptive properties of brain and liver creatine-creatine kinase system of the rats

A substantial body of research data demonstrate nueroprotective effect of creatine (Cr), it exerts beneficial effect in nuerodegenerative and myopathic diseases, aging and UV-induced injuries due to its antiapoptotic and antioxidant properties. The previous research data demonstrate that oxidative stress plays the main role in a pathophysiology of the disorders. Because oxidative stress is one of the main mechanisms underlying cellular response to ionizing radiation, featuring the DNA and enzyme proteins as its primary targets, exogenous creatine, dietary supplement, may exert radioprotective effect. The purpose of the study is to evaluate radioprotective efficacy of exogenous Cr on DNA damage in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and adaptive properties Cr/CK system in the brain and liver of rats, exposed to the single whole-body X-ray irradiation at dose of 4.5 Gy. Cr is shown to exert protective effect, Cr/CK system in the brain and liver and stimulate adaptive properties of the system. The amount of Cr and CK in the brain is higher than in the liver. The brain is more susceptible to radiation injury than the liver, a the same time it easier adapts to radiation stress. During the first 24 hours after irradiation the nearly twofold decrease in the number of radiation-induced injuries to DNA is registered. To the 7th day after irradiation the number of injuries to DNA in irradiated animals come up to the number in control rats, this level has remained unchanged to the 15th days after the exposure. The study results demonstrate efficacy of Cr as radioprotector and its capacity to improve adaptability of the rats to X-ray irradiation.