The protective role of l-Carintine and vitamin E on gamma irradiated rat's tongue mucosa

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant effect of L-carnitine (LC) against gamma-irradiation-induced oxidative damage in tongue of albino rats after total body irradiation with a single dose of 6 Gy. Materials and Methods: 48 adult rats were randomly divided into 3 groups of 16 animals each. Group I was irradiated with a single dose of 6 Gy. Group II received a daily i.p. injection of LC (250 mg/kg, i.p.) for 5 consecutive days and 1 h after the last dose, rats were irradiated with a single dose (6 Gy). Group III received a daily i.p. injection of LC (250 mg/kg, i.p.) and Vitamin E 40 mg/kg intramuscular daily for 5 consecutive days and 1 h after the last dose, rats were irradiated with a single dose (6 Gy). At day 7 and day 14 after treatment exposure, 8 rats from each group were sacrificed. Results: Administration of LC resulted in attenuation of the histological changes noticed in irradiated rats. The number of p53 positive nuclei significantly decreased in rats receiving LC alone or in combination with VE. Conclusion: LC and VE has shown positive effect in minimizing the epithelial atrophy of tongue mucosa after radiotherapy, which was emphasized by decreasing apoptotic activity in these tissues.