Restorative role of persimmon leaf (Diospyros kaki) to gamma irradiation-induced oxidative stress and tissue injury in rats.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of persimmon leaf extract (PL (as a rich plant source) in modulation of radiation-induced liver injury and some metabolic variations in gamma-irradiated rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PL at a dose of 1000 mg/kg body weight (P1000) was administered to male albino rats via gastric intubation for 15 days after whole body γ-irradiation (6 Gy). RESULTS: Irradiated rats showed significant decreases in hepatic glutathione content (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) activities with significant increases in malondialdehyde (MDA) level and xanthine oxidase (XO) activity designating oxidative stress. In parallel significant increases in serum aspartate and alanine transaminase (AST, ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ-glutamyl-transferase (GGT) activities and bilirubin content were recorded indicating liver injury. In addition, hyperglycemia, hypoinsulinemia and dyslipidemia (elevated total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol and Atherogenic Index and decreased high density lipoprotein-cholesterol) were recorded. PL treatment has significantly attenuated radiation-induced oxidative stress in hepatic tissues concomitant with significant amelioration of liver function and metabolic disturbances. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that PL may have therapeutic potential to alleviate the severity of radiation-induced liver injury, hyperglycemia, hypoinsulinemia and dyslipidemia.

The Evolving Role of Erythropoietin in Lung of Irradiated Rats

ABSTRACT The aim of the present study is to evaluate the possible curative effect of erythropoietin (EPO) on radiation-induced damage to the lung and its renin angiotensin system. EPO (200 U/100g) was i.p. injected to male rats one hour post 6 Gy whole body gamma irradiation. The animals were sacrificed after 14 days post irradiation. Irradiation induced significant drop of haematological values, bone marrow (BM) count, lung oxidative stress markers, glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase(SOD) associated with significant elevation of malondialdehyde (MDA), advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP) and nitric oxide (NO) besides serum inflammatory markers, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Also serum and lung renin angiotensin system markers, sodium (Na) and potassium (K) were elevated whereas calcium (Ca) was decreased. EPO treatment post irradiation has significantly ameliorated blood parameters and BM count also lung oxidative stress markers were improved associated with decreased serum Na, TNF-α, and LDH levels. Lung K and Ca showed no change compared to irradiated group. The findings of the present study suggest that EPO might contribute to enhance recovery of the lungs from radiation-induced damage due to its erythropoietic, anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects.

Synergestic effect of aqueous purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) extract and fish oil on radiation-induced damage in rats.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of oral administration of purslane (Portulaca oleracea) extract or fish oil and their co-treatments in the modulation of radiation-induced damage. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Purslane (P) (400 mg/kg body weight) or fish oil (Fo) (60 mg/kg body weight) was administrated to male albino rats via gastric intubation for 15 days after whole body exposure to a single dose of 6 Gy gamma rays. The animals were sacrificed after the elapse of 15 days. RESULTS: The results revealed that irradiation induced a significant elevation of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), and atherogenic index: TC/high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) in addition to aspartate and alanine transaminase (AST, ALT), alkaline phophatase (ALP), bilirubin, as well as urea, creatinine and uric acid. Moreover, liver, kidney and heart malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly elevated, whereas nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and HDL-c were depressed. Purslane and/or fish oil treatment significantly attenuated lipids alteration, liver and kidney functions as well as oxidative stress in irradiated rats. The results pointed out that dietary fish oil supplementation, at adequate doses, may provide a cushion for a prolonged therapeutic option against radiation-induced damage without harmful side-effects. CONCLUSION: It could be concluded that purslane extract and fish oil may have therapeutic potential to improve hepatic and renal functions as well as oxidative stress in irradiated rats. Moreover, their co-administration showed a better improved liver function.

Evidence for expression and function of angiotensin II receptor type 1 in pulmonary epithelial cells.

There is a growing evidence that the peptide hormone angiotensin II (ANGII) can act as an auto-/paracrine mediator to regulate epithelial ion transport processes. The present study focused on the impact of ANGII on transepithelial ion transport in pulmonary epithelia. Transcripts for the ANGII receptor type 1 (ATR1) were detected in lungs of Xenopus laevis and H441 cells (human pulmonary epithelial cell line). Native Xenopus lung preparations were used for Ussing chamber recordings and apically applied ANGII (10µM) induced a significant increase of short-circuit current (ISC: 8±2%, n=13). Pre-incubation with losartan (LOS), an antagonist of ATR1 prevented the effect of ANGII on ISC. Transcripts for ATR1 in Xenopus lungs and H441 cells were detected and an increase of ISC was observed by ANGII in native Xenopus lung epithelia. This indicates that ANGII is a potential auto-/paracrine mediator for ion transport regulation in pulmonary epithelia.

Outcome of venom bradykinin potentiating factor on rennin-angiotensin system in irradiated rats.

PURPOSE: The objective of this work was to compare the effect of a bradykinin potentiating (BPF) isolated from venom of Egyptian scorpion Androctonus amoreuxi as a natural angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) with losartan (LOS), a chemical angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), in the modulation of radiation-induced damage. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Rats were grouped into: (i) CONTROL: untreated; (ii) + C(BPF): Received intraperitoneally (i.p.) BPF 1 µg/g body weight (b.w.) (twice/week) during 3 weeks; (iii) + C(LOS:) Received i.p. LOS 5 µg/g b.w. (twice/week) during 3 weeks; (iv) R: Irradiated at 4 Gy; (v) R + BPF and (vi) R + LOS: Received BPF or LOS post-irradiation for 3 weeks. RESULTS: BPF or LOS treatment induced a significant drop of sodium and uric acid. Irradiation induced a significant elevation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP) associated with a significant decrease of glutathione (GSH) content in the kidney. Serum aldosterone, sodium, urea and creatinine levels showed a significant increase while a significant drop was recorded for haematological values, calcium and uric acid levels. Treatment of irradiated animals with BPF or LOS significantly improved radiation-induced changes. CONCLUSION: It could be concluded that the use of BPF as a natural product is comparable to the chemical compound LOS.