Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles Reduce X-ray Irradiation-Induced Damage to the Immune Cells by Upregulation of Superoxide Dismutase and Glutathione Peroxidase

Abstract

Ionizing radiation cause serious damage to humans by inducing reactive oxygen species (ROS). Immune system is one of the most sensitive system to ionizing radiation. Cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles are strong ROS scavengers. In this research we observed that whether CeO2 nanoparticles could improve immune function of X-rays irradiated mice and their antioxidant potential. The whole body of mice were once exposed to 4 Gy X-ray and treated with 5 nm CeO2 nanoparticles. Then, immune cells distribution in peripheral blood (PB), spleen T cells proliferation, spleen and thymus indexes, the concentration of Glutathione Peroxidase (GSH-Px) and the activity of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) were analyzed. The results showed that CeO2 nanoparticles could inprove immune cells distribution in PB and increase spleen T cells proliferation, thymus and spleen indexes, concentration of GSH-Px and activity of SOD in irradiated mice. The results suggest that CeO2 nanoparticles can improve immune function by inducing the production of GSH-Px and SOD in X-ray irradiated mice.