" .Role of Anserine in Combating the Deteriorative Effect of Gamma Radiation In Rats "

Abstract

For evaluating the radiation hazards, it is recommended to study the variation in certain biochemical criteria in the blood and tissues of irradiated animals. From this point of view, the aim of the present investigation was to determine the prophylactic and therapeutic roles of intraperitoneally administrated anserine nitrate and/or zinc chloride on irradiated rats. Ninety-six adult male albino rats were used in this study. The rats were divided into five main groups. The first group served as control healthy group. The second group was used to determine the effect of anserine and/or zinc on healthy rats. The third group was subjected to single dose of 5.7 Gy whole body gamma irradiation. The fourth and fifth groups were intraperitoneally administered daily with anserine nitrate (0.4 mg/kg bwt.) and/or zinc chloride (10 mg/kg bwt.). This administration was done two weeks either before or after irradiation. Blood and liver samples were collected at time intervals 24 hrs. and 14 days post-radiation exposure. Liver contents of glutathione, lipid peroxides (LPO), DNA and RNA as well as plasma level of nitric oxide were assayed. The levels of serum total protein, serum albumin and the analysis of serum protein fractions electrophoretically 24 hrs. and 14 days post-irradiation, using two dimensional immunoelectrophoresis were determined. Also, the total serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and isolation LDH isoenzymes were done. The data revealed that, exposure to gamma radiation induced a significant elevation of GSH, LPO liver contents and nitric oxide plasma level, while DNA and RNA liver contents, serum total protein and serum albumin were significantly declined. All protein fractions except a and 9 lipoproteins determined by immunoelectrophoresis technique showed a significant decline after radiation exposure.