Background: Patients undergoing radiotherapy may suffer from many harmful effects including gut microbiota injury, therefore, the use of exogenous probiotics is suggested to reduce these effects. Aim: The present study aimed to determine the possible protective effect of Spirulina platensis and Chlorella vulgaris against radiation-induced hematological and biochemical disturbances in male albino rats. Materials and Methods: Spirulina or chlorella was administered orally at a dose level of 300 mg/kg body weight daily for one week before and one week after the exposure to gamma radiation (6Gy, single dose). Results: Whole-body gamma-irradiation induced a significant decrease in total leukocyte count, red blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit value and platelets count, compared to their corresponding values of the control group. A significant increase in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity, marker of liver damage, and a non-significant increase in urea and creatinine levels, markers of kidney function was observed. Spirulina or chlorella administration pre-and postirradiation has significantly attenuated the radiation-induced disturbances in the studied parameters. Conclusion: oral supplementation of spirulina or chlorella may afford protection against radiation-induced detrimental effect and may preserve the tissue integrity and the functions of different organs in the body.

Aim This work aims to investigate whether the pre-exposure to low dose/low dose rate (40 mGy, 2.2 mGy/hour) γ-radiation as a priming dose can produce a protective effect against the subsequent high one (4 Gy, .425 Gy/minute). Methods Rats were divided into Group I (control), Group II (L); exposed to 40 mGy, Group III (H); exposed to 4 Gy, and Group IV (L+H); exposed to 40 mGy 24 hours before the exposure to 4Gy. The molecular and biochemical changes related to oxidative stress, DNA damage, apoptosis, and mitochondrial activity in the liver and testis were studied 4 hours after irradiation. Results Exposure to 40 mGy before 4 Gy induced a significant increase in the levels of Nrf2, Nrf2 mRNA, TAC, and mitochondrial complexes I & II accompanied by a significant decrease in the levels of LPO, 8-OHdG, DNA fragmentation, TNF-α, caspase-3, and caspase-3 mRNA compared with H group. Conclusion Exposure to low-dose γ-radiation before a high dose provides protective mechanisms that allow the body to survive better after exposure to a subsequent high one via reducing the oxidative stress, DNA damage, and apoptosis-induced early after irradiation. However, further studies are required to identify the long-term effects of this low dose.

This work aims to investigate the possible effect of choline glycerophosphate alone or combined with silymarin administration in modulating whole body gamma irradiation-induced brain and intestinal injuries in rats. Rats were irradiated with 7 Gy then subjected to choline glycerophosphate and/ or silymarin for two weeks. At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed and brain and intestine samples were dissected for biochemical, molecular and histopathological examinations. The results showed that choline glycerophosphate, alone or combined with silymarin, ameliorated the adverse effects of radiation as revealed by the inhibition of oxidative stress, apoptotic and inflammatory markers (MDA, Caspase 3, TNF alpha, IL-1β and NF-kB). However, TAC, anti-inflammatory marker, IL-10 and IkBa mRNA were increased. This was also accompanied by a significant increase in the Ach level, ChAT activity and α7 nAChR mRNA expression and a significant decrease in the activity of AChE as compared with the corresponding values of the irradiated group. Moreover, a reduction in the tissue lesions were observed in brain and intestinal tissues. In conclusion, choline glycerophosphate and silymarin exhibited modulating effect against detrimental effects of gamma radiation via cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway.