Radioprotective Effect of Amifostine (WR 2721) and Vitamin E on Whole-Body-Irradiated Rat Liver

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess whether amifostine with/or without vitamin E could protect the normal liver from the effects of ionizing radiation. Material and Methods: Six groups were included in the study, each consisting ten, healthy, male, Wistar rats. The first group (control group) did not receive any radiation, amifostine (WR 2721) or vitamin E (proportional to tocopherol acetate). The second group received an intraperitoneal (i.p.) infusion of 200 mg/kg amifostine (WR 2721) and subcutaneous (s.c.) infusion of 100 IU/kg vitamin E (proportional to tocopherol acetate). The third group received only 8 Gy total body irradiation (TBI). The fourth group received irradiation and an intraperitoneal (i.p.) infusion of 200 mg/kg amifostine, administered half an hour prior to the irradiation. The fifth group received irradiation and subcutaneous (s.c.) infusion of 100 IU/kg vitamin E (proportional to tocopherol acetate), administered one hour prior to the irradiation. The last (sixth) group received irradiation and amifostine and vitamin E infusion under the same conditions. We measured thiol and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in plasma and MDA levels in liver tissue. Results: Plasma MDA levels were not different in the control and the irradiated groups. Plasma thiol level was lowest in the third [irradiation alone (R)] group, and it was significantly different from the first (C) group (p Objective:&nbsp;The aim of this study was to assess whether amifostine with/or without vitamin E could protect the normal liver from the effects of ionizing radiation.&nbsp;Material and Methods:&nbsp;Six groups were included in the study, each consisting ten, healthy, male, Wistar rats. The first group (control group) did not receive any radiation, amifostine (WR 2721), or vitamin E (&prop; tocopherol acetate). The second group received an intraperitoneal (i.p.) infusion of 200 mg/kg amifostine (WR 2721) and subcutaneous (s.c.) infusion of 100 IU/kg vitamin E (&prop; tocopherol acetate). The third group received only 8 Gy total body irradiation (TBI). The fourth group received irradiation and an intraperitoneal (i.p.) infusion of 200 mg/kg amifostine, administered half an hour prior to the irradiation. The fifth group received irradiation and subcutaneous (s.c.) infusion of 100 IU/kg vitamin E (&prop; tocopherol acetate), administered one hour prior to the irradiation. The last (sixth) group received irradiation and amifostine and vitamin E infusion under the same conditions. We measured thiol and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in plasma and MDA levels in liver tissue.&nbsp;Results:&nbsp;Plasma MDA levels were not different in the control and the irradiated groups. Plasma thiol level was lowest in the third [irradiation alone (R)] group, and it was significantly different from the first (C) group (p&lt; 0.001). Plasma thiol level of the fifth (irradiation plus vitamin E [R + V - E]) group was lower than the level in the first (C) group and the difference was significant (p= 0.019). The comparison of the plasma thiol level of the third (R) group with the fourth (R + A) and the sixth (R + A + V - E) groups revealed much higher levels in the fourth (R + A) and the sixth (R + A + V - E) groups than in the third (R) group; this difference was significant (p&lt; 0.001). The highest liver MDA level was in the third (R) group and the difference compared with the first (C) group was significant (p&lt; 0.001). In the third (R) group, the level of liver MDA was significantly higher than in the fourth (R + A) and sixth (R + A + V - E) (p= 0.001 and p= 0.003 respectively) groups.&nbsp;Conclusion:&nbsp;Amifostine and vitamin E are effective in protecting the liver against the damage induced by irradiation.</p