en Radiation Biology Radiation Biology تحقيق بديع Original Research <div style="text-align: justify;">Background: The development of methods to alleviate radiation-induced health effects is important for the practical use of radiation therapy and for understanding the molecular mechanisms mediating these effects. Here, we examined the protective capability of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on life-shortening effects induced by continuous low dose-rate gamma-ray exposure in mice. Materials and Methods: Female B6C3F1 mice were exposed to gamma-rays for 400 days at a dose rate of 20 mGy/day beginning at 8 weeks of age. Control unexposed mice and exposed mice were divided into two groups; the first was provided with regular water, and the second was administered 40 mM NAC during the exposure period. Results: Although NAC administration did not affect the life span of non-irradiated mice (p = 0.232), a 59-days life extension was observed in the exposed group (p = 0.0177). Moreover, radiation exposure and NAC treatment affected body weight. The reduction of body weight observed in NAC treated mice was associated with a reduction in water intake. Conclusion: Our data demonstrated that the life-shortening effects of chronic low dose-rate radiation exposure in mice were alleviated by NAC administration.</div> low dose-rate radiation, chronic exposure, life-shortening effect, N-acetylcysteine, mouse model. 67 73 http://ijrr.com/browse.php?a_code=A-10-1-759&slc_lang=en&sid=1 K. Yamauchi yamauchi@ies.or.jp 7900319475328460012689 7900319475328460012689 Yes Department of Radiobiology, Institute for Environmental Sciences, 2-121, Hacchazawa, Takahoko, Rokkasho, Kamikita, Aomori 039-3213, Japan Y. Tsutsumi 7900319475328460012690 7900319475328460012690 No Tohoku Environmental Science Service Corporation, 330-2, Noduki, Obuchi, Rokkasho, Kamikita, Aomori 035-0071, Japan K. Ichinohe 7900319475328460012691 7900319475328460012691 No Department of Radiobiology, Institute for Environmental Sciences, 2-121, Hacchazawa, Takahoko, Rokkasho, Kamikita, Aomori 039-3213, Japan M. Yoneya 7900319475328460012692 7900319475328460012692 No Department of Radiobiology, Institute for Environmental Sciences, 2-121, Hacchazawa, Takahoko, Rokkasho, Kamikita, Aomori 039-3213, Japan J.I. Komura 7900319475328460012693 7900319475328460012693 No Department of Radiobiology, Institute for Environmental Sciences, 2-121, Hacchazawa, Takahoko, Rokkasho, Kamikita, Aomori 039-3213, Japan T. Ono 7900319475328460012694 7900319475328460012694 No Department of Radiobiology, Institute for Environmental Sciences, 2-121, Hacchazawa, Takahoko, Rokkasho, Kamikita, Aomori 039-3213, Japan K. Tanaka 7900319475328460012695 7900319475328460012695 No Department of Radiobiology, Institute for Environmental Sciences, 2-121, Hacchazawa, Takahoko, Rokkasho, Kamikita, Aomori 039-3213, Japan