title: Radioprotective effect of silymarin against radiation induced hepatotoxicity.
abstract: The radioprotective effect of silymarin using different modes of treatment against radiation (3 or 6 Gy) induced hepatotoxicity 1, 3 and 7 days post-irradiation was studied. Whole-body gamma-irradiation revealed an increase in serum alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity as well as liver glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) activities on the first post-exposure day with respect to the control value. However, 3 days after radiation exposure, these parameters showed a significant decrease below the control level which persisted till the end of the experimental time except for serum AP activity that showed another increase on the seventh post-exposure day at 3 Gy dose of radiation. A gradual increase in serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferase (ALT&AST) as well as gamma glutamyl transpeptidase activities were observed due to irradiation throughout the experimental time. Administration of silymarin as single (70 mg kg (-1)), fractionated (490 mg kg (-1)) oral doses or as intravenous (i.v.) injection (50 mg kg (-1)), caused significant protection. Intravenous treatment showed the most pronounced protection. The protective effect of silymarin was attributed to its antioxidant and free radicals scavenging properties.
authors.affiliation: Department of Drug Radiation Research and Radiation Biology, National Centre For Radiation Research And Technology (NCRRT), Atomic Energy Authority, PO Box 29, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt. laila_ramadan@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Laila A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Ramadan
authors.forename: Hamed M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Roushdy
authors.forename: Gamal M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Abu Senna
authors.forename: Nour E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Amin
authors.forename: Ola A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: El-Deshw
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D005720:Gamma Rays; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D005980:Glutathione Reductase / Q000378:metabolism; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008297:Male; D011833:Radiation Injuries, Experimental / Q000201:enzymology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012838:Silymarin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014916:Whole-Body Irradiation
chemical_list: D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; D012838:Silymarin; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D005980:Glutathione Reductase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase