TURKISH JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY
2011 , Vol 26 , Num 1
The effect of acetylsalicylic acid as a radioprotector
1Gaziantep Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Biyofizik Anabilim Dalı, Gaziantep2SB Okmeydanı Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Radyasyon Onkolojisi Kliniği, İstanbul Ionizing radiation cell injury occurs by means of oxidative/ nitrosative stress mediators. Protection of normal tissues from damage might increase the therapeutic ratio. It is shown that acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), a member of the non-steroidal antiinflammatory group, can inhibit the release of prostaglandins that play a role in many forms of tissue damages and might prevent tissue/cell damages in various diseases with its similar anti-oxidant properties. With clinical/preclinical studies, it is demonstrated that ASA can reduce oxidative damage/injury and that it has a place in protection from cancer. It might be stated that it reduces radiation/irradiation-based geno-cytotoxicity. ASA is an agent that has not yet been used as a radioprotector in the clinic, and it is worth being supported with more advanced studies. In this examination, it is intended to discuss the current role of ASA as a radioprotector. Keywords : Acetylsalicylic acid; aspirin; irradiation injury