Adaptive response induced by non-ionizing radiation

The acquired resistance by cells and organisms pre-exposed to low doses of ionizing radiation or selected genotoxic chemicals to the damaging effect of higher doses of the same or other agents, is commonly referred to as adaptive response (AR) It has been demonstrated in several cell types as well as in vivo experiments, by measuring chromosomal and DNA damage, apoptosis, oxidative stress and survival. Although AR has been repeatedly demonstrated to be induced by different genotoxicants, under variable time schedule and biomarkers and in different cell types, the basic mechanisms still remain to be elucidated. Recently, our research group evidenced the capability of radiofrequency (RF) to induce AR by offering protection against the effects of chemical and physical agents in different cell types. Other research groups confirmed this observation also in in vivo studies. In this presentation, the results of RF-induced AR, collected so far, and the ongoing investigation aimed to characterize the phenomenon and elucidate the interaction mechanisms will be presented. Moreover, the interesting perspectives of such phenomenon in the field of radio-protection and biomedical applications will be discussed.