Pycnogenol protects against Ionizing radiation as shown in the intestinal mucosa of rats exposed to X-rays.
X-rays and gamma radiation delivered to the abdominal region for cancer treatment encompasses severe damage to the intestinal mucosa, which significantly impairs a patient's quality of life. To a great extent the deleterious effects of x-radiation originate from radiolysis-induced reactive oxygen species. The well-researched powerful antioxidant Pycnogenol was administered orally to rats prior to x-irradiation with 15 Gy. Histological sections of the intestines showed a dramatically better condition of the mucosal layers compared with the irradiated control animals administered water without Pycnogenol. Pycnogenol treatment significantly preserved the height and number of villi as well as the glandular layer and a diminished number of congested vases were present. No intestinal alterations were seen in control animals receiving Pycnogenol in the absence of radiation. It is concluded that Pycnogenol provides significant protection from ionizing radiation damage.
de Moraes Ramos
Flávia Maria
FM
Oral Radiology, School of Dentistry of Piracicaba/UNICAMP, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil. flaviamaria@fop.unicamp.br
Schönlau
Frank
F
Novaes
Pedro Duarte
PD
Manzi
Flávio Ricardo
FR
Bóscolo
Frab Norberto
FN
de Almeida
Solange Maria
SM
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011833:Radiation Injuries, Experimental / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014965:X-Rays
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D005419:Flavonoids; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; C024070:pycnogenols