Prospects for the use of alpha-2-macroglobulin as a radioprotective agent

Introduction. The diversity of clinical manifestations of radiation sickness creates significant difficulties in the development of a versatile means for the prevention and treatment of radiation injuries.

Objective. Assessment of the prospects for using alpha-2-macroglobulin (α2M) as a radioprotective agent.

Discussion. The existing agents were established to be incapable of simultaneous implementation of multiple mechanisms of radioprotective action, rendering the development of complex formulations the primary research direction. However, the toxicity, side effects, and multidirectional nature of many radioprotectors hinders their combined application. Along with inhibiting proteinases, alpha-2-macroglobulin (α2M) is involved in lipid metabolism and regulation of the antioxidant system. It influences enzyme activity, binds and transports numerous cytokines, affects the functions of immunocompetent cells, and controls the development of the inflammatory response and tissue remodeling processes. A number of published studies confirm α2M to be a promising radioprotector and a key component of innate radioprotection.

Conclusions. Preparations based on human blood polyfunctional proteins can serve as a basis for the development of means for preventing and treating radiation injuries. The α2M administration into the body reduces lethality, protects DNA from damage, lowers the oxidative stress level, mitigates the severity of leukopenia and thrombocytopenia, and reduces the number of necrosis foci. Further research into the radioprotective properties of this protein and the optimization of methods for its isolation from blood for industrial-scale production are required.

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