Research findings on radiation hormesis
- Central Research Institute of the Electric Power Industries - Criepi, Tokyo (Japan)
In 1982, Prof. Luckey, Chairman of Biochemistry at the University of Missouri at Columbia, asserted the concept of Radiation Hormesis in the Journal of Health Physics. CRIEPI decided to begin an evaluation program with medical and biological specialists in Japan because Dr. Luckey's assertion was quite different from our basis of radiation protection. After more than ten years research, we are really surprised by obtaining very many interesting pieces of scientific information and knowledge by animal tests and human data concerning the radiation hormesis concept. The bio-positive effects from low level radiation could be categorized into the following five groups. 1. An enhancement of damage prevention and rejuvenation of cells as an increase of SOD and cell membrane permeability. 2. The moderation of psychological stress through the formation of key enzymes and hormones related to neurotransmission.. 3. Suppression of and therapy for all kinds of adult diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and so forth. 4. Suppression of cancer by enhancement of the immune system and activation of tumor suppression gene such as p53. 5. Bio- adaptive responses through DNA repairs and cell apoptosis. Besides these data obtained by animal tests, Prof. Okumura, at Nagasaki Univ., has recently reported a new data and conclusions on the epidemiology of A-bomb survivors. The data shows a hermetic result for the people exposed to less than 70 cGy. Prof.-Emeritus Sakamoto has reported his great success on the suppression of cancer reappearance by applying a low whole body dose of X rays. Dr. Chrishnan Nair of India reported lower cancer risk of females living in the high back ground radiation area in Kerala. Now, I understand the mechanism is to be clearly explained on the fundamental bases as follows: The activity of the life is to go forward, overcoming the damages caused by a variety of environmental conditions. However, in many cases, bio-chemical reactions takes time especially when you get old, some times being defeated because of time delay to formulate adequate amounts of genes, enzymes, hormones, cells, and various other chemical materials needed by the body. Since ionizing radiation creates big numbers of electrons, ions, and active states of molecules, then this is very useful condition to speed up those various chemical reactions needed. Many advanced scientific studies on proteins, hormones, enzymes, DNA, genes, repair activities of those, and cell apoptosis etc. during the last 20 years have helped us profoundly in understanding these effects of radiation. Now the combination of radiation hormesis and other factors such as hyperthermia is receiving much interest. Low level radiation should be fully utilized to create good health and better quality of lives in next century.
- Research Organization:
- American Nuclear Society - ANS, 555 North Kensington Avenue, La Grange Park, IL 60526 (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 23142318
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Global'99: International Conference on Future Nuclear Systems - Nuclear Technology - Bridging the Millennia, Las Vegas, NV (United States), 29 Aug - 3 Sep 1999; Other Information: Country of input: France; available from American Nuclear Society - ANS, 555 North Kensington Avenue, La Grange Park, IL 60526 (US)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY
A-BOMB SURVIVORS
APOPTOSIS
BIOCHEMISTRY
CELL MEMBRANES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DNA
DNA REPAIR
EPIDEMIOLOGY
HUMAN POPULATIONS
INHIBITION
NEOPLASMS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION HAZARDS
RADIATION PROTECTION
SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE
THERAPY
TIME DELAY
X RADIATION