The efficacy of using metformin and/or quercetin for amelioration of gamma-irradiation induced tongue toxicity in diabetic rats

Abstract

Background Diabetes is a common disease that cancer patients may suffer from and may aggravate side effects of radiotherapy. This study aimed to detect whether metformin and/or quercetin will improve gamma-irradiation induced tongue toxicity in diabetic rats. Methods 35 male albino rats were divided into five groups; NOR no streptozotocin, no radiation and no treatment was given, DR rats were subjected to streptozotocin then gamma-irradiation, DRM rats were subjected to streptozotocin then gamma-irradiation then metformin, DRQ rats were subjected to streptozotocin then gamma-irradiation then quercetin, DRMQ rats were subjected to streptozotocin then gamma-irradiation then metformin and quercetin. Rats were euthanized 24 h after last treatment dose. Mean blood glucose level was recorded. Tongue specimens were stained with H&E and CD68. Histomorphometric analysis of length, diameter and taste buds of lingual papillae and epithelial, keratin and lamina propria thickness and CD68 positive cells were calculated. Results Blood glucose level of DRMQ was significantly lower than DR, DRM and DRQ, whereas higher than NOR. Metformin or quercetin partially restored tongue structure, papillae length and diameter and tongue layers thickness. The ameliorative effect was superior when metformin and quercetin were used together. Diabetes and irradiation significantly increased number of CD68 positive macrophages in submucosa and muscles. Metformin or quercetin significantly reduced number of lingual macrophages with more noticeable effect for quercetin. Treatment with metformin and quercetin significantly decreased number of macrophages. Conclusions Combined use of metformin and quercetin might help mitigate the harmful effects of radiotherapy and diabetes on lingual tissues.

Feature Matching of Microsecond-Pulsed Magnetic Fields Combined with Fe3O4 Particles for Killing A375 Melanoma Cells

“…During this rotation process, as the particles had already targeted the cancer cells, the torque exerted on the nanorods also acted on the cells, causing damage. The formula for calculating the magnitude of this torque is shown in Equation ( 2), and the relationship between torque and force is shown in Equation (6). Through Equations ( 2) and ( 6), it was calculated that under this torque, the nanorods exert a force of about 200 pN on the cells.…”

“…The combination of MNPs and magnetic fields to treat cancer by exerting magnetomechanical force (MMF) on cancer cells is an emerging method known as magnetomechanical therapy (MMT) [1][2][3][4]. Compared with traditional methods such as surgery [5], radiotherapy [6], and chemotherapy [7], this novel method offers advantages including minor side effects [3], the absence of suffering, and the preservation of healthy tissue and organs. Consequently, it has become a hot topic in current research.…”