Hepatotoxicity and renal toxicity induced by gamma-radiation and the modulatory protective effect of Ficus carica in male albino rats. Research in Veterinary Science. 2019, 125: 24-35 (Impact factor 1.69, Q1) ISSN: 0034-5288.
, Fouad D, Alhatem H, Abdel-Gaber R, Ataya F. . 2019
Abstract
It is well-known that gamma radiation initiates generation of free radicals which prompting serious cellular
damages in biological systems. In the present study, we investigated the role of Ficus carica, a natural antioxidant
substance, in modulating changes in liver and kidney functions, antioxidant enzyme's gene expression, and
apoptosis, in male albino rats exposed to gamma radiation. A total of 40 rats were used in this experiment and
divided equally into 4 groups: Group 1, rats administered distilled H2O (Control); Group 2, rats administered F.
carica; Group 3, rats irradiated; and Group 4, rats treated with F. carica and irradiated. Groups 3 and 4 were
exposed to whole-body gamma radiations at a dose level of 8 Gy and with a dose rate of 0.762 Gy/min. F. carica
was administered to rats by gavage, for 3 consecutive weeks, before exposure to radiation. Five rats were sacrificed
from each group at intervals of 24 and 72 h after cessation of treatment. The results revealed marked
increases in alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels in liver, a decrease in albumin level
and increase in urea level in kidney. Irradiation resulted in cytotoxic effects as indicated by elevation in antioxidant
enzyme's gene expression at 24 h, the opposite was observed at 72 h. Immunohistochemical analysis
revealed that cytochrome c and p53 expressions significantly increased following exposure to radiation. Oral
administration of F. carica pre-irradiation as a natural product plays a modulatory protective
Glutathione transferases (GSTs; EC. 2.5.1.18) are a large family of multifunctional enzymes that play crucial roles in the metabolism and inactivation of a broad range of xenobiotic compounds. In…