The findings provide experimental evidence for the potential beneficial use of STW5 in protecting against the development of radiation-induced intestinal mucositis and associated changes in tissue biomarkers.
Purpose: Low dose radiation has been reported as an effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis via multiple dose exposures. The present study was designed to increase the therapeutic efficacy of low dose radiation with the minimum exposure level in arthritic rats by concurrent administration of resveratrol (RSV) as an adjunctive therapy with anti-inflammatory properties. Materials and methods: Rats were rendered arthritic by sub-plantar injection of Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) and exposed to low dose radiation at a total exposure level of 0.5 Gy (2 Â 0.25). During the exposure course, RSV (50 mg/kg) was orally administered once daily for two weeks. Diclofenac (3 mg/kg) was administered as a standard anti-inflammatory drug. Paw volume was measured every 4 days. After 28 days of induction, rats were sacrificed and serum was collected for estimation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a), interleukin-1beta (IL-1b), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and total nitrate/nitrite (NO x ). Furthermore, paws were dissected for histopathological examinations and immuno-histochemical estimation of nuclear factor-kappa B p65 (NF-jB p65) expression. Results: Administration of RSV during the low dose radiation exposure course produced a significant decrease in the paw swelling and a potentiated inhibition in the serum levels of TNF-a, IL-1b, TBARs, and NO x . The dual treatment strategy alleviated the histopathological damage to a greater extent than that produced by each treatment. Moreover, a pronounced suppression of NF-jB p65 expression in the synovial tissue was observed in the combination group. The combination treatment showed a nearly similar potency to that observed in the diclofenac treated group. Conclusion: Administration of RSV augmented the modulatory activity of low dose radiation with minimum exposure level on the disease progression.
Compounds that prevent radiation‐induced mucositis may offer new therapeutic strategies for maintaining intestinal integrity in patients undergoing radiotherapy. A specially formulated chamomile extract was studied with the hope of proving efficacy in this regard. Intestinal mucositis was induced in rats by exposing them to whole body gamma‐irradiation. Rats were treated orally with the extract for 5 days before and 2 days after radiation exposure. One day later, rats were sacrificed. Histological examination of segments of small intestine showed shortening and fusion of villi, activation of mucus secreting glands, inflammatory cell infiltration of lamina propria, and mucosal atrophy. Intestinal homogenates showed an increase in tumor necrosis factor, a pro‐inflammatory cytokine, and myeloperoxidase, an indicator of cellular infiltration, as well as in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and a reduction in glutathione content. Intestinal injury was further evidenced by an increase in diamine oxidase and a reduction in citrulline levels in the serum. A rise in apoptosis was evidenced by an increase in cytosolic cytochrome c, caspase‐3, and depletion of mitochondrial B‐cell lymphoma‐2/ Bax ratio. Most histological changes and associated derangement in related parameters were largely prevented by the chamomile extract, thus paving the way to a new therapeutic approach towards the management of radiation‐induced intestinal mucositis.
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