ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the effect of astaxanthin against radiation-induced lung fibrosis in mouse model and to investigate the underlying mechanism. Methods A total of 60 female C57BL/6 mice were evenly randomized into control group, model group (IR) and astaxanthin-treated group (IR+AST). Mouse models of radiation-induced lung fibrosis were generated by thoracic irradiation with a single dose of 16 Gy. Mice in IR+AST group were orally administrated with astaxanthin (25 mg/kg) daily for 7 days both before and after irradiation. Then the mice were sacrificed at 1, 4, 8 and 16 weeks after radiation, and the lung samples were collected in each group for morphological observation. The severity of fibrosis was evaluated by Masson's trichrome after radiation. The oxidative stress was determined by malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) assay kit, the collagen deposition was measured by hydroxyproline (Hyp) assay kit, and the serum level of transforming growth factor-beta 1(TGF-β1) was measured by ELISA. Results Pathological staining results showed that the pulmonary fibrosis became more severe along with time increase after irradiation, and astaxanthin attenuated the fibrosis formation. Compared with irradiation model group, the MDA level in IR+AST group was significantly lower (P<0.05 or P<0.01) and SOD level was significantly higher (P<0.05 or P<0.01) at different time points. Radiation increased the serum TGF-β1 and Hyp content in lung tissue at 4, 8 and 16 weeks post irradiation, and astaxanthin significantly reduced TGF-β1 and Hyp contents (P<0.05 or P<0.01)). Conclusion Astaxanthin can effectively alleviate radiation-induced lung fibrosis (RILF), which is probably via inhibition of TGF-β1 expression and reduction of lipid peroxidation injury.
ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the effect of health education in controlling the iodine deficiency diserders(IDD) in order to provide reference data for the further prevention and control. Methods Each village of 3 towns in Congjiang County was selected in 2007, where the health education lasting for 10 months had been implemented in the school students of 3-6 grade and the villagers. The school students of 3-6 grade and 30 housewives in the villagers were investigated for their IDD control knowledge, the salt consuming conditions as well as the sales of both rough and fine salt at a salt retail site in each village before and after the health education was implemented. Results The awareness rate of the knowledge of IDD control in the students and housewives was 91.4% (581/636) and 78.3% (282/360), respectively after intervention, which significantly increased (χ2= 532.044, 326.117, both P < 0.01) compared with the rate of 28.2% (184/652) and 11.4% (41/360) before intervention. The proportion of consuming fine salt was 91.8%(146/159) and 95.6%(86/90), significantly inereased(χ2= 236.623, 135.350, both P < 0.01) compared with 6.1%(10/163) and 7.8% (7/90) found before intervention. The selling proportion of fine salt at the salt retail site in the village was 60.0%(900/1500), significantly increased(χ2= 824.176, P < 0.01) compared with 10.0%(150/1500) before intervention. Conclusions Health education and promotion is solid foundation for effectively controlling IDD, through which the students and villagers are actively and voluntarily involved in the program and hence have formed good living and hygiene habits, thus expected effect has been obtained.