Fullerenols Mitigate Radiation-Induced Myocardial Injury.

Abstract

Radiation-induced heart disease is a serious side effect of radiation therapy that can lead to severe consequences. However, effectiveandsafe methods for their prevention and treatment are presently lacking. This study reports the crucial functionoffullerenolsin protecting cardiomyocytes fromradiation injury. First, fullerenols are synthesized using a simple base-catalyzed method. Next, the as-prepared fullerenols are applied as an effective free radical scavenger andbroad-spectrumantioxidant to protect against X-ray-induced cardiomyocyte injury. Their ability to reduce apoptosis via the mitochondrial signaling pathway at the cellular level is then verified. Finally, it is observed in animal models that fullerenols accumulate in the heart and alleviate myocardial damage induced by X-rays. This study represents a timely and essential analysis of the prevention and treatment of radiological myocardial injury, providing new insights into the applications of fullerenols for therapeutic strategies.