Lycopene in the Prevention of Radiation-Induced Esophagitis

Abstract

We aimed to research whether lycopene (L) could prevent radiation-induced acute esophageal toxicity in Wistar albino rats. 60 rats were placed in five groups as follows: control, L, radiotherapy (RT), L before RT (L + RT), and L before and after RT (L + RT + L). 6 mg/kg bw/day L was administered 7 days in the L group, 7 days before RT in the L + RT group, and 7 days before and after in the L + RT + L group. 35 Gy thoracic RT was performed. Serum L levels were measured, and the esophagi were evaluated histopathologically for intraepithelial degenerative changes-necrosis, vacuole formation, inflammation, regeneration-mitosis, and subepithelial bulla formation. L levels were significantly higher in the L receiving groups. All histopathologic results were significantly worse in the RT group than in the none-RT groups. The L + RT and the L + RT + L groups had better results than the RT group. Grade 2-3 degenerative changes-necrosis and vacuole formation were significantly lesser in the L + RT and the L + RT + L groups than those in the RT group. There was a trend toward decreased subepithelial bulla formation and inflammation in the L + RT and the L + RT + L groups compared to the RT group. Regeneration-mitosis was insignificantly lesser in the L + RT and significantly fewer in the L + RT + L groups than that in the RT group.

The protective role of jervine against radiation-induced gastrointestinal toxicity

“…Radioprotector agents have become an important research topic to protect normal tissues from the negative effects of radiation 5 . In previous studies, many agents have been used that are antioxidants (such as amifostine and glutamine), anti-inflammatory agents (such as entolimod), antiproliferative agents (such as curcumin), anti-apoptotic agents (such as silymarin), protectors of endothelial cells (such as vitamin D), prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors (such as benzydamine), and hematopoietic cytokines (such as IL-1 and TNF-a) 4,11 .…”

“…The most common acute clinical side effects from abdominopelvic irradiation are lack of appetite, fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Diarrhoea is the most common acute GI system toxicity 4,5,11,26 . In a study investigating the effects on nutritional status and side effects associated with treatment and quality of life for patients treated with hydroxy methyl butyrate/arginine/glutamine, weight changes, treatment side effects, malaise, malnutrition risk, skeletal muscle mass, prealbumin levels, and albumin levels improved, although the difference was not statistically significant.…”

“…There was no significant difference between the control and treatment groups in terms of quality of life 27 . In a study that investigated the efficacy of lycopene in preventing radiation esophagitis, it was reported that lycopene had a radioprotective effect but lycopene addition to RT had no protective effect on weight loss 5 . In our study in rats, diarrhoea and weight loss symptoms were evaluated because symptoms such as fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting could not be evaluated.…”

“…For congestion assessment, grade 0 no congestion was observed, grade 1 was less than 20% congestion, grade 2 was more than 20% but less than 50% congestion, and grade 3 was over 50% congestion observed. The number of intraepithelial lymphocytes was counted among 100 surface epithelial cells to score the lymphoid infiltration and counted as the number of inflammatory cells among 100 surface epithelial cells for intraepithelial inflammation 5 .…”

“…However, RT causes injury to healthy tissues close to the target tissue by direct or indirect mechanisms. The injury spectrum ranges from acute self-limiting reaction to life-threatening complications [5][6][7][8] . Gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity in patients with irradiated GI tracts may cause severe nutritional problems and significant weight loss, impairing patient feeding.…”