Protection by Chemicals against Radiation-Induced Bystander Effects

The purpose of this work was to study possible mechanisms of radiation-induced bystander effect proceeding from its modification using different radioprotective substances: melanin, melatonin and α -tocopherol. All substances were able to statistically significant decrease the damaging effect of bystander factor from irradiated cells on non-irradiated. The protective effect against bystander irradiation was much less than against direct irradiation. Melatonin showed the best protective effect against both direct and bystander irradiations, and vitamin E – the least. According to the results, bystander factor may have physical component and oxidative nature.