β-pseudouridine, a beer component, reduces radiation-induced chromosome aberrations in human lymphocytes

We previously found that drinking beer reduces chromosome aberrations in blood lymphocytes that were collect and irradiated in vitro. In this study, human whole-blood was in vitro exposed to 200 kVp X-rays or 50 keV/mum carbon ions in the presence or absence of beer, ethanol and beta-pseudouridine (one of the beer components). All three agents reduced the chromosome aberrations (dicentric) caused by either X-rays or carbon ions of 4 Gy. The maximum protection for X-rays by ethanol, beer and beta-pseudouridine was 64,26 and 34%, respectively, while the maximum protection for carbon-ion by ethanol, beer and beta-pseudouridine was 22, 26 and 32%, respectively. It is concluded that beta-pseudouridine, a nucleoside present in tRNA, is a potent protector against damage caused by radiation with direct and indirect actions. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All fights reserved.