Radioprotective Effect of Whey Hydrolysate Peptides against γ-Radiation-Induced Oxidative Stress in BALB/c Mice

Abstract

Radiation therapy is widely used in the treatment of tumor diseases, but it can also cause serious damage to the body, so it is necessary to find effective nutritional supplements. The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the protective effect of whey hydrolysate peptides (WHPs) against 60Coγ radiation damage in mice and explore the mechanism. BALB/c mice were given WHPs by oral gavage administration for 14 days. Then, some mice underwent a 30-day survival test after 8 Gy radiation, and other mice received 3.5 Gy radiation to analyze the changes in body weight, hematology and bone marrow DNA after three and 14 days. In addition, through further analysis of the level of oxidative stress and intestinal barrier function, the possible mechanism of the radioprotective effect of WHPs was explored. The study found WHPs can prolong survival time, restore body weight, and increase the number of peripheral blood white blood cells and bone marrow DNA content in irradiated mice. In addition, WHPs can significantly improve the antioxidant capacity, inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines and protect the intestinal barrier. These results indicate that WHPs have a certain radioprotective effect in mice, and the main mechanism is related to reducing oxidative damage.

Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester-Incorporated Radio-Sensitive Nanoparticles of Phenylboronic Acid Pinacol Ester-Conjugated Hyaluronic Acid for Application in Radioprotection

“…However, many scientists have tried to develop novel and non-toxic antioxidants since adverse side effects of amifostine are always problematic in clinical use [13][14][15][16]. Many kinds of antioxidants have been investigated to prevent radiation-damage and to substitute amifostine [7][8][9][10]14,15,42,43]. For example, Bai et al reported that CAPE effectively prevents cellular oxidative stress from radiation by elimination of free radicals and then improves cell viability [42].…”

“…Furthermore, ionizing radiation has been extensively used for medical imaging of human disease since it is still considered as an ideal tool for detection of disease and malignancies [4,5]. Even though ionizing radiation is widely utilized for diagnosis/therapy of human diseases, repeated or high dose radiation is closely associated with undesirable effects against healthy cells and tissues since ionizing radiation induces oxidative stress in the surrounding field of irradiation [6][7][8]. Irradiation causes DNA damage and metabolic stress in healthy cells and tissues since it elevates the ROS level not only in disease cells/tissues but also in healthy cells/tissues [7,8].…”

“…Even though ionizing radiation is widely utilized for diagnosis/therapy of human diseases, repeated or high dose radiation is closely associated with undesirable effects against healthy cells and tissues since ionizing radiation induces oxidative stress in the surrounding field of irradiation [6][7][8]. Irradiation causes DNA damage and metabolic stress in healthy cells and tissues since it elevates the ROS level not only in disease cells/tissues but also in healthy cells/tissues [7,8]. To overcome these drawbacks, many scientists have investigated the strategy for radioprotection of healthy cells/tissues from irradiation [7][8][9][10].…”

“…Irradiation causes DNA damage and metabolic stress in healthy cells and tissues since it elevates the ROS level not only in disease cells/tissues but also in healthy cells/tissues [7,8]. To overcome these drawbacks, many scientists have investigated the strategy for radioprotection of healthy cells/tissues from irradiation [7][8][9][10]. For example, Liu et al reported that whey hydrolysate peptides have effectiveness in radioprotection of mice from 60 Coγ radiation damage and then prolonged survival time of mice [7].…”

“…To overcome these drawbacks, many scientists have investigated the strategy for radioprotection of healthy cells/tissues from irradiation [7][8][9][10]. For example, Liu et al reported that whey hydrolysate peptides have effectiveness in radioprotection of mice from 60 Coγ radiation damage and then prolonged survival time of mice [7]. Otherwise, amifostine is widely used in clinics to attenuate radiation-induced damage [11,12].…”