Marked changes in endogenous antioxidant expression precede vitamin A-, C-, and E-protectable, radiation-induced reductions in small intestinal nutrient transport.
Rapidly proliferating epithelial crypt cells of the small intestine are susceptible to radiation-induced oxidative stress, yet there is a dearth of data linking this stress to expression of antioxidant enzymes and to alterations in intestinal nutrient absorption. We previously showed that 5-14 days after acute γ-irradiation, intestinal sugar absorption decreased without change in antioxidant enzyme expression. In the present study, we measured antioxidant mRNA and protein expression in mouse intestines taken at early times postirradiation. Observed changes in antioxidant expression are characterized by a rapid decrease within 1h postirradiation, followed by dramatic upregulation within 4h and then downregulation a few days later. The cell type and location expressing the greatest changes in levels of the oxidative stress marker 4HNE and of antioxidant enzymes are, respectively, epithelial cells responsible for nutrient absorption and the crypt region comprising mainly undifferentiated cells. Consumption of a cocktail of antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E, before irradiation, prevents reductions in transport of intestinal sugars, amino acids, bile acids, and peptides. Ingestion of antioxidants may blunt radiation-induced decreases in nutrient transport, perhaps by reducing acute oxidative stress in crypt cells, thereby allowing the small intestine to retain its absorptive function when those cells migrate to the villus days after the insult.
Roche
Marjolaine
M
Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, New Jersey Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, NJ 07103, USA.
Kemp
Francis W
FW
Agrawal
Amit
A
Attanasio
Alicia
A
Neti
Prasad V S V
PV
Howell
Roger W
RW
Ferraris
Ronaldo P
RP
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D019610:Cytoprotection / Q000187:drug effects*; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000528:radiation effects; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D005502:Food; D007408:Intestinal Absorption / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000494:pharmacology
D000975:Antioxidants; D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E; D001205:Ascorbic Acid