Abstract:
Background and aims: Radiation colitis typically emerges during radiotherapy of intraabdominal
malignancies. While the underlying mechanism remains unclear, it is considered
that free oxygen radicals act like cellular mediators to cause colonic damage. Apocynin (APO)
prevents oxidative stress and apoptotic cell death by inhibiting NADPH oxidase, and preventing
the formation of free oxygen radicals. The aim of the present study was to investigate
the protective effect of APO, a strong antioxidant and antiinflammatory agent, on radiation
induced colonic oxidative damage in rats.
Materials and methods: Rats were randomly divided into four groups (n ¼ 8/group). Group I
(control group); Group II (Group RAD) received a single dose of 800 cGy ionizing radiation to
the whole abdomen with a linear accelerator (LINAC); Group III (Group APO) received a single
dose of 20 mg/kg of APO intraperitoneally for five days; Group IV (Group APO+RAD) received
APO for five days before radiation exposure (similar to Group III), (similar to Group II).
Results: APO treatment prior to radiation led to protection in the biochemical and
histopathological parameters.
Conclusions: Our study shows that APO treatment before radiation improves radiation induced
colonic injury in rats, by decreasing oxidative stress and apoptosis.
