Yilmaz H, Mercantepe F, Tumkaya L, Mercantepe T, Yilmaz A, Yilmaz Rakici S. The potential antioxidant effect of N-acetylcysteine on X-ray ionizing radiation-induced pancreas islet cell toxicity.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023;
685:149154. [PMID:
37913693 DOI:
10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.149154]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE
Previous research has highlighted the impact of X-ray irradiation-induced organ damage, on cancer patients after radiation therapy. The ionizing radiation-induced oxidative stress causes injury to the pancreatic islet cells of Langerhans. We used histopathological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical analyses to examine α- and β-cells in the islets of Langerhans in rats undergoing whole-body x-ray ionizing radiation, a group of which was treated with NAC.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Twenty-four male rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, one control, and two experimental groups. Group I (Control) was administered only saline solution (0.09% NaCl) by oral gavage for 7 days. Group II (IR) was administrated whole body single dose 6 Gray ionizing radiation (IR) and saline solution (0.09% NaCl) by oral gavage for 7 days. Group III (IR + NAC) was administered 300 mg/kg NAC (N-acetylcysteine) by oral gavage for 7 days, 5 days before, and 2 days after 6 Gray IR application.
RESULTS
In the X-ray irradiation group, we observed diffuse necrotic endocrine cells in the islets of Langerhans. In addition, we found that Caspase-3, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels increased, and insulin, glucagon, and glutathione (GSH) levels decreased in the IR group compared to the control group. In contrast, we observed a decrease in Caspase-3, and MDA levels in necrotic endocrine cells, and an increase in insulin, glucagon, and GSH levels in the IR + NAC group compared to the IR group.
CONCLUSION
This study provides evidence for the beneficial effects of N-acetyl cysteine on islets of Langerhans cells with X-ray ionizing-radiation-induced damage in a rat model.
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