Amifostine Protects Small Bowel Against Radiation-induced Apopitosis by Reducing Caspase-3

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the protective effect of amifostine against radiotherapy-induced small bowel injury. Materials and Methods: Forty rats were divided equally into four groups as control, irradiation (IR), IR + Amifostine, IR+N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) groups. Caspase-3 expression, villus lengths, and microscopic tissue injury were evaluated histopathologically. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured biochemically in jejunum tissue. Pre- and post-radiation weights of the rats were recorded. Results: Caspase-3 was at the highest level in the IR group, at the lowest level in the control and weak in the Amifostine+IR group. The lowest microscopic score was determined in the IR group and the difference between the groups was statistically significant. CAT decreases after IR. However, Amifostine and NAC prevented radiation-induced catalase decline. In Amifostine+IR group, the villus length was significantly longer than that of the IR group. Amifostine was observed to protect against weight loss. Conclusion: The results obtained from this study demonstrate that the administration of Amifostine can substantially reduce apopitosis and support the repair of the structure and function of intestinal tissues which have been damaged by exposure to radiation. These results also suggest that it may be a promising therapeutic agent.

Keywords

• amifostine; apoptosis; caspase-3; oxidative stress; radiotherapy.
• amifostin; apopitoz; kaspaz-3; oksidatif stress; radyoterapi