Antimutagenic and radioprotective activities of beta-carotene against the biological effects of iodine-131 radiopharmaceutical in Wistar rats

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Radioactive iodine-131 (131I) is used in the treatment and diagnosis of thyroid gland injuries. However, because it emits ionizing radiation, it causes harmful effects to cells. Given that betacarotene (BC) has antioxidant and antigenotoxic properties, this study aimed to investigate its radioprotective and antimutagenic activity in relation to 131I at the dose that is used to treat hyperthyroidism using a test system of bone marrow cells from Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus). The doses were 0.2 mL of 8 mg BC/mL corn oil and 25 μCi 131I per 100 g body weight, and they were given via gavage in acute and subchronic treatments. Treatment groups included simultaneous, pre-treatment, post-treatment, and continuous treatment types. In all antimutagenic acute treatments, BC had a significant antimutagenic/radioprotective activity in relation to 131I. In subchronic antimutagenic treatments, BC reduced the damage that was caused by the radioisotope; however, this reduction was not statistically significant because of the relatively low percentage of chromosomal abnormalities that were observed with only 131I compared to the acute treatment. These results demonstrate the radioprotective and antimutagenic activity of BC, indicating its use by the population, which inevitably is exposed to mutagenic agents, as a means of health protection.

Radioprotective activity of blackcurrant extract evaluated by in vitro micronucleus and gene mutation assays in TK6 human lymphoblastoid cells

“…Recently, Nishimura et al [ 20 ] reported that Actinidia argute , known as sarunashi, has antimutagenic and antioxidant activities. Furthermore, an extract of Barbados cherry fruit containing several antioxidants such as anthocyanin, vitamins E and C, and β-carotene showed antimutagenic effects, as measured by a MN test against radioisotope iodine-131, and this antimutagenic activity was mainly associated with the capture of free radicals generated by radiation [ 21 , 22 ]. Polyphenols showed radioprotective properties associated with their high antioxidant activity in in vitro and in vivo assays [ 23 – 29 ].…”

Radiation Protection and Mitigation by Natural Antioxidants and Flavonoids: Implications to Radiotherapy and Radiation Disasters

“…In vivo studies have revealed that treatment with betacarotene is effective in amelioration of radiation toxicities in different tissues such as liver, thyroid gland, gastrointestinal system, bone marrow and blood [249][250][251][252][253]. However, for parotid glands, no radioprotective effect was observed [254].…”

Palliative effects of lutein intervention in gamma-radiation-induced cellular damages in Swiss albino mice

“…[14] The carotenoids such as β-carotene and retinol have been previously studied for their protective effects against radiation-induced biochemical damages. [15] In the present study, lutein has been evaluated as a radioprotector against gamma radiation-induced biochemical changes although lutein has been shown to be a moderate antioxidant in vitro in the previous studies. [16]…”