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Curcumin is a component of natural spice Curcuma longa. It is known that this polyphenol has been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiviral, antioxidant and antibacterial activities. The mechanism of curcumin effectiveness on both healthy and cancer tissues is still unclear. Aims: In vitro assessment of curcumin effect on both double-strand breaks and chromosomal translocations frequency, after γ-irradiation. Methods: Human peripheral blood samples were pre-treated with different concentrations of curcumin (0.5 μg/ml; 10 μg/ml; 20 μg/ml and 100 μg/ml). Thereafter they were exposed to 60Co γ-rays using various irradiation doses (0.05 Gy; 0.5 Gy; 1 Gy and 2 Gy). Both γ-H2AX/53BP1 foci assay and FISH analysis were used to evaluate DNA double-strand breaks and translocation frequencies. Results: Curcumin pre-treatment exhibited significant lower γ-H2AX/53BP1 foci appearance and reduced translocations frequency in irradiated compared to untreated lymphocytes. At 1 Gy irradiation and 10 μg/ml curcumin, the reduction of total translocations frequency was 42%. We found that at 2 Gy irradiation, the most protective concentration was 0.5 μg/ml curcumin. In this case, translocations declined almost twofold compared to curcumin nontreated cells. Conclusion: The present in vitro study demonstrates that curcumin reduces both γ-H2AX/53BP1 foci and translocations occurrence in peripheral blood lymphocytes, after γ-irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Dose assessment intercomparisons within the RENEB network were performed for triage biodosimetry analyzing G0-lymphocyte PCC for harmonization, standardization and optimization of the PCC assay. Materials and methods: Comparative analysis among different partners for dose assessment included shipment of PCC-slides and captured images to construct dose-response curves for up to 6 Gy γ-rays. Accident simulation exercises were performed to assess the suitability of the PCC assay by detecting speed of analysis and minimum number of cells required for categorization of potentially exposed individuals. Results: Calibration data based on Giemsa-stained fragments in excess of 46 PCC were obtained by different partners using galleries of PCC images for each dose-point. Mean values derived from all scores yielded a linear dose-response with approximately 4 excess-fragments/cell/Gy. To unify scoring criteria, exercises were carried out using coded PCC-slides and/or coded irradiated blood samples. Analysis of samples received 24 h post-exposure was successfully performed using Giemsa staining (1 excess-fragment/cell/Gy) or centromere/telomere FISH-staining for dicentrics. Conclusions: Dose assessments by RENEB partners using appropriate calibration curves were mostly in good agreement. The PCC assay is quick and reliable for whole- or partial-body triage biodosimetry by scoring excess-fragments or dicentrics in G0-lymphocytes. Particularly, analysis of Giemsa-stained excess PCC-fragments is simple, inexpensive and its automation could increase throughput and scoring objectivity of the PCC assay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]