---

---

Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the radioprotective effect of Grewia asiatica fruit pulp extract (GAE) on Swiss albino mice exposed to gamma radiation. In the present study radioprotective efficacy of Grewia asiatica (rich in anthocyanin, carotenes, vitamin C, etc.) was studied against radiation induced biochemical alterations in mice cerebrum. Materials and Methods: For experimental study, healthy Swiss Albino mice were selected from an inbred colony and divided into four groups. Group I (normal) did not receive any treatment. Group II was orally supplemented (GAE) once daily at the dose of 700 mg/kg.b.wt/day for fifteen consecutive days. Group III (control) received distilled water orally equivalent to GAE for fifteen days than exposed to 5 Gy of gamma radiation. Group IV (IR+Drug) was administered orally (GAE) for 15 consecutive days once daily after exposed to single dose of 5Gy of gamma radiation respectively. Mice were sacrificed at different autopsy intervals viz. 1, 3, 7, 15 and 30 days and brain were removed for various biochemical estimations viz. glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and protein. Results: GAE post treatment renders protection against various biochemical changes in mice brain. Radiation induced augmentation in the levels of LPO was significantly ameliorated by GAE post-treatment. Radiation-induced depletion in the level of GSH, protein was checked significantly by GAE administration. Conclusion: These results indicate that Grewia asiatica fruit extract (GAE) is able to protect the brain of Swiss albino mice against radiation induced biochemical alterations.

---

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of thoron and thermal treatment for aging-related diseases in humans. Materials and Methods: All subjects inhaled thoron with a high concentration (about 4900 Bq/m3) for 2 weeks. Blood pressures were measured and blood samples were collected after each treatment 1, 2 and 3 weeks after the first treatment. Results: The α-atrial natriuretic peptide level of the rheumatoid arthritis group was increased and the blood pressure was significantly decreased. Superoxide dismutase activity of rheumatoid arthritis group was significantly increased by treatment. In addition, thoron and thermal treatment significantly enhanced the concanavalin A-induced mitogen response and increased the level of CD4-positive cells it decreased the level of CD8-positive cells. The results suggest that thoron and thermal treatment activates antioxidative function. Furthermore, these findings suggest that thoron and thermal treatment prevents diabetic ketoacidosis and contributes to the prevention of aging-related diseases. Conclusion: Thoron and thermal therapy may be part of the mechanism for the alleviation of diabetes mellitus and rheumatoid arthritis. Iran. J. Radiat. Res., 2012 9(4): 221-229

---

Background: The approaches chosen for control of Outbreaks of infectious diseases in Aquatic farming industry include improvement of environmental conditions, stocking of specific pathogen free (SPF) brood stockings, and application of vaccines and immunostimulants. Despite numerous studies on the effects of Ergosan on immune system of aquatic animals, there is no data available on antioxidant activities of Ergosan. The aim of the present study was to investigate and evaluate the radical scavenging activities of Ergosan extract by DPPH (1, 1- diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging assay, and the possible effects of gamma irradiation on its assumed radical scavenging activities. Materials and Methods: Ergosan was irradiated with gamma rays (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 kGy), and their structural changes and antioxidant activities were investigated by UV absorbanceand DPPH (1,1- diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) assays, respectively. Results: The gamma irradiation decreased the average pH of irradiated Ergosan, and UV spectra of irradiated product showed increase in the number of carboxyl groups and double bonds. Our results showed that 30 kGy irradiated Ergosan suspension had significant higher level of antioxidant activity in comparison with non-irradiated Ergosan (P<0.05). Also, the reducing power values of 30 and 50 kGy irradiated Ergosan were higher than that of nonirradiated (P<0.05) and the other doses of irradiation couldn’t make any significant difference in reducing power of Ergosan. Conclusion: Results indicate that the 30 kGy irradiated Ergosan might be an appropriate candidate for the use in aquatic animal diets as a natural antioxidant agent besides its immunostimulant role. Iran. J. Radiat. Res., 2012 9(4): 245-249

---

Background: Ionizing radiation induces the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which play an important causative role in cell death. Wholebody exposure of mice to gamma radiation leads to diminution of tissue antioxidant defense systems increases the peroxidative damage to membrane lipids and damages the haematopoietic and gastrointestinal systems. Tempol (TPL), a cell membranepermeable amphilite nitroxide, shown to protect against cell injury caused by ROS was studied for its radioprotective effects. Materials and Methods: Animals were administered with TPL at doses of 100 or 200 mg/kg body weight p.o 10 minutes prior to sub- lethal doses (4 or 6 Gy) of whole body gamma radiation exposure. Results: Tempol prevented the radiation induced depletion in RBC and total WBC counts, glutathione content in blood and bone marrow cellularity. TPL also protected the tissue antioxidant system and membrane lipids from the radiation-induced damages. An enhanced spleen colony formation and spleen weight recovery were also observed in radiation exposed mice administered with TPL. The compound also protected the epithelial cells of the gastrointestinal tract from the radiation-induced structural alterations. Conclusion: These preclinical data indicate that TPL may have its potential as a radioprotector during radiation exposure scenarios. Iran. J. Radiat. Res., 2012 10(1): 1-10

---

Background: Exposure to ionizing radiation results in genotoxicity and the unrepaired lesions in cellular DNA results in cell cycle arrest, reproductive death, interphase death, division delay, chromosome aberrations, mutations, etc. leading to the intensive destruction of cells and violation of their proliferative capacity there by adversely affecting the mammalian system. Since ionizing radiation is widely used in medicine, industry, agriculture and research, an effective radioprotector is a must to protect living beings. This work aims to identify the ability of dietary supplements, curcumin and ascorbic acid in offering protection from radiation induced genomic insult to human peripheral blood leukocytes. Materials and Methods: Alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis was performed on human peripheral blood leukocytes exposed to 2 doses of gamma radiation in presence and absence of curcumin and ascorbic acid (in vitro). The same technique was also applied to blood leukocytes of volunteers before consumption of these supplements and 5 days after (ex vivo). The comet parameters such as % DNA in tail, tail length, tail moment and olive tail moment were determined. Results: The comet parameters of leukocytes increased upon exposure to ionizing radiation indicating DNA damage, in vitro or ex vivo. The extent of DNA damage was found significantly decreased either in the presence or following the intake of curcumin and ascorbic acid. Curcumin offered higher protection than ascorbic acid. Conclusion: Intake of dietary antioxidants such as curcumin or ascorbic acid could offer protection against ionizing radiation induced cellular DNA damage in peripheral blood leukocytes.

---

Background: &beta-glucans are glucose polymers with a variety of stimulatory effects on the immune system. The objective of this study was to evaluate the immune-enhancing activities of low molecular weight gamma irradiated &beta-glucan (I&beta-g) extracted from Pleurotus ostreatus in response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in rats. Materials and Methods: &beta-glucan (&beta-g) powder was exposed to 50 kGy of gamma radiation. For experimental study, healthy male rats were divided in six groups. Group I: did not receive any treatment. Group 2: infected group was injected once with P. aeruginosa. Group 3: were orally administrated with &beta-g for 15 days at a dose of 65 mg/Kg body weight/day. Group 4: were orally administrated with I&beta-g for 15 days at a dose of 65 mg/Kg body weight/day. Group 5: rats were treated with &beta-g and injected once with P. aeruginosa. Group 6: rats were treated with I&beta-g and injected once with P. aeruginosa. Rats were sacrificed 24 h post bacterial infection. Results: &beta-g and I&beta-g were characterized using FTIR spectra and SEM, showed breakdown of the glycosidic bonds with deformation and splitting of &beta-g molecule. Oral ingestion of &beta-g markedly enhanced the production of lymphocytes and leucocytes and CD8 compared to that of I&beta-g, although I&beta-g was more effective in stimulating CD4 count compared to that of &beta-g and ameliorated CD4/CD8 ratio. I&beta-g enhanced GPx and CAT activity, elevated zinc concentration in the blood compared to that of &beta-g, although both I&beta-g and &beta-g elevated GSH and caused no effect on MDA level in post infected groups. Conclusion: In conclusion I&beta-g improves antioxidant state and enhances immune system in particular CD4 count against bacterial infections which is an important marker of immune system.

---

Background: Spindle trees (Euonymus japonica Thunb.) growing in an industrial complex area containing pollutants is chronically injured thus need to build up their resistance. Antioxidant enzymes and cell membrane stability have been widely used to differentiate stress tolerance. Materials and Methods: Leaves of spindle trees from a clean control area (Kijang) and an industrial area (Onsan) where is one of the heavily polluted areas in Korea were subsequently irradiated with 0, 50 and 100 Gy of gamma rays from a 60Co isotopic source, and evaluated for the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase (GR) and lipid peroxidation (LPO). Results: Air pollution-stressed plants showed better adaptation to ionizing radiation (IR) stress and are better protected from the oxidative damage, and rapidly up-regulate their antioxidative systems. The adaptive plants growing in the polluted area are less sensitive to consecutive oxidative stresses such as gamma rays, having a higher capacity of resistance to ionizing radiation, compared to the samples taken from the clean area. Conclusion: Air pollution-stressed plants showed lesser changes in the level of antioxidant enzymes after irradiation due to their enhanced antioxidant capacity. The enzymatic differences in plants irradiated with gamma rays can be used as biochemical end-points for environmental monitoring.

---

Background: Radioprotective efficacy of Prunus avium fruit extract (PAE) rich in vitamin A, C, E and anthocyanin was studied against radiation induced biochemical alterations in mice brain. Materials and Methods: In-vitro assays were performed with PAE for its antioxidant studies thereafter for in-vivo study, Swiss albino mice were divided into five groups. Group 1 (control) normal mice. Group 2 (PAE treated) PAE supplemented (450 mg/kg. b.wt/day) for 15 days. Group 3 (Irradiated) 5 Gy gamma-radiation treated. Group 4 (PAE + Irradiated) was administered PAE once daily for 15 consecutive days, thereafter exposed to 5 Gy gamma-radiation. Group 5 (Irradiated + PAE) was exposed to 5 Gy gamma-radiation than PAE was administered for 15 consecutive days. Brains were removed at various post treatment intervals for biochemical estimations. Results: The IC50 values of PAE for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH·] scavenging assays, superoxide radical scavenging assays, inhibition of in vitro lipid peroxidation assays and protein carbonyl formation assay were 413 µg/ml, 7.63 µg/ml, 136.18 µg/ml and 16.94 µg/ml respectively. Furthermore the total phenolic content in PAE was equivalent to 8.38 mg/ml of gallic acid. The rate of ·OH radical scavenging activity of PAE was 0.57 times slower than SCN- derived from nanosecond pulse radiolysis studies. In-vivo study also showed that radiation (5 Gy) induced augmentation in the levels of lipid peroxidation and depletion in glutathione and protein level in mice brain were significantly ameliorated by PAE pre/post treatment. Conclusion: Results suggest that the radioprotective efficacy of PAE may be due its antioxidant property.

---

Background: The increasing use of nuclear radiation for human welfare necessitates the search for new, safe, cost effective radio protectors not only for the personnel’s charged with the responsibility of working or testing with radiations in laboratories, but also for general public. With this view the present study has been undertaken to determine the deleterious effects of sub lethal gamma radiation on testes and its modulation by Prunus domestica extract (PDE). Material and Methods: For this purpose Swiss albino mice were divided into five groups: (1) Control (2) PDE treated (400 mg kg−1 day−1 for 15 days) (3) Irradiated (5 Gy) (4) PDE + Irradiated and (5) Irradiated+PDE treated. Antioxidant and biochemical assays as well as histopathological analysis were performed to verify PDE radioprotective potential. Results: Radiation induced histological lesions in testicular architecture were observed more severe in all experimental groups. PDE administration before irradiation significantly ameliorated radiation induced elevation in lipid peroxidation and deficit in glutathione, protein, superoxide dismutase, catalase concentration in testes. PDE was found to have strong radical scavenging activity in 2,2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH*) and also showed in vitro radioprotective activity. Conclusion: The results indicate the radioprotective potential of Prunus domestica fruit extract in testicular constituents against gamma irradiation in mice.