Protective effect of oral phosphatidylcholine on radiation-induced release of intestinal peptidases in rats.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether phosphatidylcholine (PPC) has a protective effect on mucosa-irradiated rats.


METHODS
The rats were orally fed with 25, 50, and 100 mg PPC/kg body weight (b.w.), respectively, for 3 weeks before irradiation. After administering the medication and 1 day after irradiation, a 20 cm segment of the proximal jejunum was perfused in situ and peptidase activities, as well as the concentrations of the membrane components, were assayed.


RESULTS
We have shown that the application of a low dose of 25 mg PPC/kg b.w. daily for 21 days can prevent damage to membranes induced by 2.0 Gy as represented in the peptidase release profiles during the perfusion of the proximal jejunum of rats. Higher dose levels did not increase the protective effect.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that a low dosage of exogenous PPC is capable of hindering the impairment of membranes induced by a small dose of radiation.
Fittkau
M
M
Institute of Clinical Chemistry, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle/Saale, Germany. marina.fittkau@medizin.uni-halle.de
Gerlach
R
R
Schmoll
H J
HJ
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D010478:Chemotherapy, Cancer, Regional Perfusion; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007583:Jejunum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D013997:Time Factors
D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases