FUTURE ROLE OF VITAMIN C IN RADIATION MITIGATION AND ITS POSSIBLE APPLICATIONS IN MANNED DEEP SPACE MISSIONS: SURVIVAL STUDY AND THE MEASUREMENT OF CELL VIABILITY

Background: Astronauts will be exposed to both chronic space radiaon and acute high doses of energec radiaon of solar parcle events in long-term deep space missions. The applicaon of radioprotectors in space missions has basic limitaons such as their very shortme windo w as well as their acute toxicity and considerable side effects. The aim of the present study was to invesgate the potenal radiaon migaon effect of vitamin C that is known as an effecve anoxidant and free radical scavenger . Materials and Methods: One hundred twenty male Wistar albino rats weighing 250-300 g were randomized into the following study groups: I, control; II, Only exposure to gamma-radiaon (LD 50/30 ); treated with a single dose of vitamin C, III, 1h before irradiaon, IV, V and VI, 1h, 12h and 24 h a3er irradiaon. Measurement of cell viability and proliferaon was also performed by using MTT cell proliferaon assay. Results: The survival rate in animals received vitamin C 1h, 12h and 24h a3er irradiaon were 55%, 60%, and 80%, respecvely. The viability of cells in animals received vitamin C 1h, 12h and 24h a3er irradiaon were 94.9%, 99.0%, and 100%, re specvely. The viability of the cells in animals only exposed to gamma rays was 50.1%. Conclusion: These findings reveal that a single dose of vitamin C can potenally be used up to 24 hours a3er exposure to reduce the detrimen tal effects of high levels of ionizing radiaon in cases such as the occurrence of currently unpredictable solar parcle events.