Assessment of the Effect of Ascorbic, Malic and Succinic Acids on Radiation-Induced Oxidative Stress in A549 Cells

Relevance: For modern radiobiology, the problem of finding pharmacological protection against radiation damage remains urgent. Interest in this topic does not weaken due to the high chemical toxicity of all generally recognized radioprotectors. One of the most studied drugs in this regard are substances with antioxidant activity, which is due to the ability of antioxidants to inhibit the processes of oxidative stress. Purpose: The effect of malic, succinic and ascorbic acids on radiation-induced oxidative stress in the culture of human lung adenocarcinoma cells of the A549 line. Material and methods: In the course of the work, the effect of solutions of malic, ascorbic and succinic acids in concentrations of 0.1, 0.5, 1 and 2 mM on the intensity of radiation-induced oxidant stress in the adsorption culture of cells of the A549 line was studied. Oxidative stress was induced by X-ray radiation at a dose of 8 Gy. The level of reactive oxygen species was estimated based on the ratio of the fluorescence intensity of the dye dichlorofluorescein to that of the dye Hoechst-33342. Results: Under the influence of the studied substances, a statistically significant decrease in the content of reactive oxygen species in the cells was observed. The most pronounced effect is observed in samples treated with succinic acid. In non-irradiated samples in the presence of ascorbic and malic acids at a concentration of the studied substances of 100 mM, a statistically significant increase in the intensity of fluorescence is observed, which can be explained by the reduction of intracellular trivalent iron to Fe2+ under the action of these substances, which contributed to the Fenton reaction. Conclusions: Based on the results obtained during this study, it can be assumed that malic acid, ascorbic acid and, in particular, succinic acid have some radioprotective properties. However, additional studies on other model systems, including various cell lines, are needed to confirm the presence of these properties. The results of the presented work make it possible in the future to begin the development of therapeutic schemes to alleviate the effects of radiation using the studied substances.