Radiation induced apoptosis and pulmonary fibrosis: curcumin an effective intervention?

Abstract

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal lung disease characterized by interstitial remodeling, leading to compromised lung function. Extra vascular fibrin deposition and abnormalities in the fibrinolysis are the major clinical manifestations of lung diseases such as acute lung injury (ALI) and its most severe form, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). ALI progresses to pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and makes patient’s life miserable. Anti-fibrinolysis and apoptosis are involved in the progression of PF. Apoptotic markers are detectable within IPF lung tissue and senescent cell deletion can rejuvenate pulmonary health. Enhanced expression of p53 due to DNA damage is seen in irradiated lung tissue. The role of fibrinolytic components such as Urokinase Plasminogen activator (uPA), uPA receptor (uPAR) and Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) has been detailed in I. Curcumin is known to possess anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects. Radioprotective effect of curcumin enables it to attenuate radiation-induced inflammation and fibrosis. Understanding the mechanism of radioprotective effect of curcumin in radiation-induced PF and apoptosis can lead to the development of an effective therapeutic to combat acute lung injury and fibrosis.

Keywords:

• Radiation
• acute lung injury
• pulmonary fibrosis
• apoptosis
• plasminogen activator inhibitor-1
• curcumin

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University) for providing the infrastructure required for the research.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

The authors are grateful to the funding agency, Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences, Department of Atomic Energy [BRNS35/14/22/2017-BRNS/35210].

Notes on contributors

Shilpa Johnson

Ms. Shilpa Johnson is a research scholar working at Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (deemed to be University), Mangalore, India.

Sadiya B. Shaikh

Ms. Sadiya B. Shaikh is a research scholar working at Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (deemed to be University), Mangalore, India.

Fatheema Muneesa

Ms. Fatheema Muneesa is a research scholar working at Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (deemed to be University), Mangalore, India.

Barki Rashmi

Ms. Barki Rashmi is a research scholar working at Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (deemed to be University), Mangalore, India.

Yashodhar P. Bhandary

Dr. Yashodhar P. Bhandary is an Associate Professor of cell and molecular biology at Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (deemed to be University), Mangalore, India.