Protective Effects of Quercetin on Intestinal Damage Caused by Ionizing Radiation

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective use of quercetin in a rat model of radiation-induced enteritis and colitis. Methods: Twenty four adult rats were randomly divided into four groups. Group SHAM was given only physiological saline, group QUER was given quercetin 50 mg/kg for 15 days, group RAD was given only irradiation and group QUER+RAD was given quercetin 50 mg/kg, and then irradiated. Twenty four hours after the exposure to radiation, all rats were euthanized for the evaluation of the ileum and colon morphology and biochemical measurements. Results: Compared with the SHAM group, the serum malondialdehyde (MDA) level was significantly higher in group RAD (p=0.004) and was significantly decreased in group QUER+RAD (p=0.015). The MDA levels in the ileum and colon tissues were significantly higher in group RAD (p=0.004 and p=0.002, respectively), while treatment with quercetin significantly reduced lipid peroxidation in both tissues in group QUER+RAD (p=0.015 and p=0.009, respectively). Compared with the control group, the serum total antioxidant status (TAS) level was significantly lower in Group RAD (p=0.002) and was significantly increased in group QUER+RAD (p=0.009). TAS in the ileum and colon tissues were significantly lower in group RAD (p=0.002 and p=0.002) and were significantly higher in both tissues in group QUER+RAD (p=0.002 and p=0.002, respectively). Conclusion: This study confirmed that, in the model of radiation-induced ileitis and colitis in rats, quercetin effectively decreased oxidative stress and inflammatory damage to both ileum and colon tissues.

Keywords

• Quercetin
• intestine damage
• oxidative stress
• radiation
• rat