Radioprotective Effect of Selenium and Gamma Rays on Cyclosporine-Immunosuppressed Wistar Rats

Abstract

Introduction: Cyclosporine is known as an immunosuppressive drug. Selenium has antioxidant characteristics. This study investigated the synergistic effects of radiation therapy emitted from Gamma rays with the protective effect of selenium after suppressing the immune system of rats with cyclosporine. Methods: 60 adult male mice, randomly divided into 6 groups (5 experimental groups, and one control group). Experimental group number 1: technetium + cyclosporine; group number 2: iodine 131 + cyclosporine; group number 3: selenium + cyclosporine; group number 4: cyclosporine + technetium + selenium; group number 5: cyclosporine + iodine131 + selenium. Experimental groups 1 and 4 treated with 75 mCi Technetium in a volume of 0.5 ml through intraperitoneal injection. Experimental groups 1 and 5 treated with 0.5 ml iodine 131 (30 mCi). Experimental groups 3, 4 and 5 received 0.1 mg of selenium per kg of their body weight through gavage method. Control group also treated with 0.5 ml normal saline containing 50 mg cyclosporine per kilograms of their body weight to minimize statistical errors. Six hours after treatment with cyclosporine, about 1 ml of heart blood for determining the content of lymphocytes taken and every 6 hours the population of rats has been counted. Results: Percentage of lymphocytes and survival rate was significantly decreased in the experimental group 2. Survival rate of rats in the experimental groups 3, 1, and 4, significantly increased compared to the control group. Conclusion: Treatment with cyclosporine and iodine-131 has a meaningful synergistic effect in the reduction of lymphocyte percentage and also survival time. Selenium and low doses of Technetium has the ability to neutralize the synergistic effect of cyclosporine and iodine-131.

Keywords

• Selenium
• Cyclosporine
• Gamma Rays
• Immune System
• Wistar Rat