Edward J Calabrese1, Vittorio Calabrese. 1. University of Massachusetts, Public Health (EHS), Morrill I, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA. edwardc@schoolph.umass.edu
Abstract
PURPOSE: This paper provides a critical assessment of the hypothesis that low doses of ionizing radiation may be potentially effective in the treatment of inflammatory conditions, with particular focus on arthritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A critical review of the biomedical literature was undertaken to assess whether low doses of ionizing radiation may affect the progression of experimentally-induced arthritis using multiple animal models. RESULTS: The findings indicate that low doses of ionizing radiation were effective in alleviating the occurrence of clinical symptoms of arthritis in five complementary experimental models of arthritis. CONCLUSIONS: Consistent findings by multiple research groups indicate that low doses of ionizing radiation can be highly effective in reducing a broad range of arthritic changes in multiple animal models in a manner quantitatively similar to that of well known pharmaceutical agents.
PURPOSE: This paper provides a critical assessment of the hypothesis that low doses of ionizing radiation may be potentially effective in the treatment of inflammatory conditions, with particular focus on arthritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A critical review of the biomedical literature was undertaken to assess whether low doses of ionizing radiation may affect the progression of experimentally-induced arthritis using multiple animal models. RESULTS: The findings indicate that low doses of ionizing radiation were effective in alleviating the occurrence of clinical symptoms of arthritis in five complementary experimental models of arthritis. CONCLUSIONS: Consistent findings by multiple research groups indicate that low doses of ionizing radiation can be highly effective in reducing a broad range of arthritic changes in multiple animal models in a manner quantitatively similar to that of well known pharmaceutical agents.