Modulation of gamma-ray-induced apoptosis in human peripheral blood leukocytes by famotidine and vitamin C

To study the radioprotective effects of vitamin C and famotidine against radiation-induced apoptosis in human peripheral blood leukocytes, peripheral blood was obtained from six healthy volunteers including three males and three females. Twelve microlitres of blood sample diluted in 1 ml complete RPMI-1640 medium was irradiated with various doses of gamma-rays (4, 8 and 12 Gy) in the presence or absence of various doses of vitamin C and famotidine. After 48 and 72 h incubation in a 37 °C CO2 incubator, neutral comet assay was performed for all samples. At least 1000 cells were analyzed for each sample for presence of apoptosis. Data were statistically evaluated using Mann–Whitney non-parametric and ANOVA tests. Results show a significant increase in apoptosis induction following γ-irradiation with a dose dependent manner compared to controls (p < 0.001). Presence of famotidine at 200 μg/ml produced a significant protective effect against radiation-induced apoptosis for various doses of radiation. Similar effects were observed for vitamin C at much lower doses (10 μg/ml). Dose reduction factor (DRF) calculated for famotidine treatment was about 1.5, and above 2 for vitamin C treatment. These results suggest that both vitamin C and famotidine suppresses radiation-induced apoptosis when used with various doses of gamma-irradiation (4–12 Gy) probably via OH radical scavenging and an intracellular antioxidation mechanism.