Radioprotective Effect of Nigella Sativa Oil on Heart Tissues of Rats Exposed to Irradition

Abstract Background Various studies are ongoing related to the radioprotective agents. Herbal preparations are currently becoming popular because of their beneficial effects with fewer side effects compared to the synthetic/semi-synthetic medicines, and Nigella sativa oil (NSO) is only one of them. Objective To investigate NSO for its antioxidant effects on the heart tissue of rats exposed to ionizing radiation (IR). Methods Thirty six male albino Wistar rats, divided into four groups, were designated to group I (IR plus NSO group) that received both 5 Gray of gamma IR to total cranium and NSO; group II (IR alone group) that received IR plus saline, group III (control group of NSO) that received saline and did not receive NSO or IR; group IV (control group) that received only sham IR. Alterations in Total antioxidant status (TAS) and Total oxidant status (TOS), Oxidative stres index (OSI), Sulhydryl group (SH), Lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH), Paraoxonase (PON) levels, Arylesterase (ARE) and Ceruloplasmin (CER) activities in homogenized heart tissue of rats were measured by biochemical methods. Results In heart tissue of the rats in the IR alone group (group II) LOOH, TOS and OSI levels were found to be higher, ARE activity and TAS level were found to be lower than all of the other groups (p < 0.01). These results also support that IR increases oxidative stress and NSO's protective effect. Conclusion NSO would reduce the oxidative damage in the irradiated heart tissue in the experimental rat model.

Medidas de radioprotección empleadas por alumnos de odontología / Radiation protection measures used by dental students

A raíz del descubrimiento de la radiactividad y los rayos X finales del siglo XIX, se pusieron de manifiesto los daños producidos por las radiaciones ionizantes. El uso de dos técnicas adecuadas para la protección del operador reduce a un mínimo la dosis de radiación que recibe el radiólogo. La cantidad de radiación X utilizada en la radiografía dental es pequeña, pero causa daños biológicos. La exposición a los rayos X se inicia al cursar la materia de radiología y puede persistir durante toda la vida profesional del odontólogo. Con el objetivo de conocer cuáles son las medidas empleadas por los alumnos de odontología se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo de corte transverso en 10 alumnos del cuarto curso de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad Nacional de Asunción en el cual mediante un cuestionario se observó que el 100% no utiliza delantal de plomo, la clínica en la cual trabajan no posee paredes de plomo y no cumple con la distancia mínima de exposición a la hora de realizar las tomas radiográficas. Cumplen con las medidas recomendadas al utilizar placas rápidas (E) y no sujetarlas. Las dosis absorbidas por los alumnos medidas con dosímetros personales TLD (Dosimetría Termoluminiscente) dieron un resultado menor al límite de detección 0,1 mSv/mes

In vivo radioprotection of mouse bone marrow: protection from apoptotic death by WR-2721

Apoptotic cell death is an important phenomenon in radiation bone marrow injury and the compound WR-2721 can protect hematopoietic tissue against such injury. In this study, we assessed the ability of WR-2721 to prevent radiation-induced apoptosis in bone marrow cells. Femoral bone marrow from C57BL male mice was used. The marrow was studied 4 h, 12 h, 24 h and 10 days after a single whole-body radiation dose of 7 Gy. Mice which received WR-2721 (400 mg/kg, i.p.) 30 min before irradiation were compared with unprotected mice. Less injury and a significant reduction in the number of apoptotic cells were observed 4 h (49.6 per cent less) and 12 h (40.8 per cent less) after irradiation in the group that received WR-2721 compared to the unprotected mice. An earlier than expected recovery was also observed 10 days after irradiation in the protected group. This is the first study in vivo to report the protection by WR-2721 of bone marrow cells from apoptosis following exposure to radiation.