INTRODUCTION
A deleterious effect of radiation is the production of
reactive oxygen species (ROS) which include superoxide
anion ( , a free radical), hydroxyl radical
(.OH), and hydrogen peroxide (H2
O2
). These reactive
species may contribute to radiation-induced cytotoxin
(e.g., chromosome aberrations, protein
oxidation, and muscle injury) and to metabolic and
morphologic changes (e.g., increased muscle proteolysis
and changes in the central nervous system)
in animals and humans during space flight
(Lopaczynski et al. 2001; Fang et al. 2002). Over
the past three decades, the free radical theory has
greatly stimulated interest in the role of dietary anti