Protective effect of non-ionized radiation from far infrared ray emitting ceramic material (cFIR) against oxidative stress on human breast epithelial cells

Previous research has identified that ceramic far infrared (cFIR)-emitting material can modulate various biological processes, particularly those involving hydrogen peroxide scavenging and antioxidant activities. The present study treated MCF-10A cells with 50 and 100 mu M hydrogen peroxide before incubating them for 24 h on the top of The present study treated MCF-10A cells with 50 and 100 mu M hydrogen peroxide before incubating them for 24 h on the top of cFIR or control powder. cFIR or control powder. Cells were also treated with ionizing radiation from a fluoroscopic X-ray source to induce cell damage and cultured for 48 h beneath cFIR or control powder. The effects of cFIR on cell survival were evaluated using XTT and MTT assays. A total accumulated radiation dose of 1 Gy to 2 Gy was sufficient to cause cell damage and reduce cell viability. In both the hydrogen peroxide toxicity and radiation exposure experimental models, the cFIR groups demonstrated significantly higher cell survival rates than those of the control groups (p < 0.05). Considering the relationship between indirect-ionizing-radiation- and oxidative-stress- induced cell damage and the accumulation of free radicals, these results indicate that the protection of cFIR against ionizing radiation is predominantly through an antioxidant mechanism. cFIR-emitting material has potential use in reducing radiation damage caused by medical instruments and radiation pollution.