Effect of pre-exposure to low-dose radiation followed by H2 O2 treatment on leukemic cells proliferation
Authors:   Center of Radiation Research and Medical Imaging, Department of Radiologic Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand., Department of Radiologic Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand., Phadngam Suratchanee , Sutinkat Yuphin ,   Department of Radiologic Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand., Supawat Benjamaporn ,   Center of Radiation Research and Medical Imaging, Department of Radiologic Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand., Department of Radiologic Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand., Kothan Suchart ,   Center of Radiation Research and Medical Imaging, Department of Radiologic Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand., Department of Radiologic Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand., The Center for Research on Inequality Reduction and Social Opportunity Advancement, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand., Tima Singkome ,   Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand., Pornwiang Suban ,   The Center for Research on Inequality Reduction and Social Opportunity Advancement, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand., Kaewkhao Jakrapong ,   Center of Radiation Research and Medical Imaging, Department of Radiologic Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand., Physics Program, Faculty of Science and Technology, Nakhon Pathom Rajabhat University, Nakhon Pathom Province, Thailand., Tungjai Montree ,   Center of Radiation Research and Medical Imaging, Department of Radiologic Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand., Department of Radiologic Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand., The Center for Research on Inequality Reduction and Social Opportunity Advancement, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand.
Published: January 2025

Background: Leukemia is a blood cancer illness that causes morbidity and mortality around the world. A new approach to treatment is challenging.

Objective: The objective was to investigate the effects of pre-exposure to low-dose radiation (LDR) followed by H2 O2 treatment on cell proliferation in leukemic cells.

Materials and methods: The human leukemic doxorubicin-sensitive K562 and doxorubicin-resistant K562/adr cells were exposed to 0.1 mGy of gamma radiation from radioactive 137Cs at a dose rate of 0.001 Gy/min followed by treatments with various concentration of H2 O2 at 4 hrs-post irradiation. The cell morphology and metaphase cells in treated groups were compared with a control group at 72 hrs post-irradiation. The cell proliferation was determined at days 1-8 post irradiation.

Results: The results showed that the number of cells in treated groups with 50, 100, and 200 µM of H2 O2 was less than the control group (0 µM H2 O2 ). The pattern of the cells rapidly increased at 24-48 hrs and then decreased until the 5th and 6th days. This was found in all treated groups, except those treated with 200 µM of H2 O2 alone and with pre-exposure to LDR followed by H2 O2 groups. The microscopic images showed rough cells, shrinking cells, irregular-shaped cells, and swelling cells in H2 O2 alone and pre-exposure to LDR followed by H2 O2 groups. The metaphase cells were significantly decreased in H2 O2 alone groups in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, the metaphase cells were also considerably reduced in pre-exposure to LDR, followed by H2 O2 groups when compared with control and LDR alone groups.

Conclusion: This data provides a basis for additional studies to help clarify the potential use and benefits of pre-exposure to LDR followed by H2 O2 treatment in cancer cells.