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ISSN 2410-7751 (Print)
ISSN 2410-776X (Online)

cover biotech acta general

Biotechnologia Acta Т. 16, No. 3, 2023
P .24-44, Bibliography 127, Engl.
UDC 612.233+612.176:577.151.6
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15407/biotech16.03.024

Full text: (PDF, in English)

RADIATION PHENOMENA: SOME NATURAL SOURCES, MECHANISMS OF EFFECTS, WAYS OF BIOLOGICAL ORGANISMS PROTECTION AND REHABILITATION

O. M. KLYUCHKO 1, G. V. LIZUNOV 2, P. V. BELOSHITSKY 3

1National Aviation University, Kyiv, Ukraine
2 Space Research Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv
3Tychyny Uman State Pedagogical University, Ukraine

Radiation is an essential and dangerous factor in contemporary reality in some regions of industrial countries after technological accidents with nuclear objects, chemical enterprises, etc. This is also the reality of some contemporary military activities and armed conflicts. Radiation damage to organisms can also arise due to natural reasons — aviation or space flights at high altitudes or even extended stays on mountain heights. Natural reasons for such effects have been studied insufficiently for today.

Purpose. To outline briefly some results of studies of the characteristics of ionizing radiation at different heights above the Earth. To describe briefly the influence of radiation factors on biological
organisms and main mechanisms of these effects. To describe effects that cause pathological changes in organisms of people exposed to the low doses of radiation for a long time and methods of post-radiation rehabilitation of affected people in highlands conditions.

Methods. Space satellites explore the Earth's atmosphere at various altitudes above sea level with measurements of different characteristics of solar and galactic radiation (mainly X-ray, gamma radiation, as well as other types of ionizing radiation in some other ranges). Comparative analysis of the results of long-term observation of patients in hospital conditions using many standard laboratory methods of their state examinations. The conducted scientific research consisted of a complex of methodological techniques and approaches: clinical and physiological studies of respiratory and cardiovascular systems, hematological and immunological states, and functional state of higher nervous activity, mental and neurotic state; administration of antihypoxants, histochemical, biophysical and other methods were used to evaluate oxybiotic processes.

Mathematical processing of the results, as well as methods of mathematical modeling, was applied.

Results. The results of the measurements of ionizing radiation levels during the satellite exploration of the Earth's atmosphere at different altitudes were analyzed and presented in schemes. The mechanisms of damaging radiation effects in organisms at the nano level were described: water radiolysis, “oxygen effect” as radio sensitizer, formation of various types of free radicals and peroxides with future consequences for organic compounds, cells, tissues, organs, and organisms. The results of medical treatment and rehabilitation at the EMBS of the persons irradiated by the low doses of radiation were presented, observed, and discussed. Many of the represented results were obtained thanks to the collective work of the great commands of our predecessors in science who searched for the possibilities of medical treatment and rehabilitation of patients who received low doses of radiation for a long time. The contemporary results of options of some developed pathological states' pharmacological corrections were discussed; practical recommendations were made.

Conclusions. Some of the results of fulfilled works, which can be valuable in the treatment and rehabilitation of people of various contingents exposed to low doses of radiation of different natures for a long time, were presented. The outlined recommendations can be offered to persons of various radiation risk contingents for their rehabilitation, in the practice of health care, etc.

Key words: radiation damage of organisms, high altitudes, adaptation, radioprotectors, correction.

© Palladin Institute of Biochemistry of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 2023