title: The Protective Effect of Curcumin on Ionizing Radiation-induced Cataractogenesis in Rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to determine the protective effect of curcumin against ionizing radiation-induced cataract in the lens of rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rats were divided into six groups. Group 1: Control, Group 2: Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), Group 3: DMSO+curcumin, Group 4: Irradiation, Group 5: Irradiation+DMSO, Group 6: Irradiation+DMSO+curcumin. A 15 Gy total dose was given to 4, 5, 6 groups for radiation damage. Curcumin (100 mg/kg) was dissolved in DMSO and given by intragastric intubation for 28 days. At the end of the experiment, lenses were graded and enucleated. The lenticular activity of the antioxidant enzymes, total antioxidant and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and the malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  100% Cataract was seen in the irradiation group. Cataract rate fell to 40% and was limited at grade 1 and 2 in the curcumin group. In the irradiation group, antioxidant enzyme levels were decreased, MDA levels were increased. There was an increase in antioxidant enzyme levels and a significant decrease in MDA in the group which was given curcumin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Curcumin has antioxidant and radioprotective properties and is likely to be a valuable agent for protection against ionizing radiation. Hence, it may be used as an antioxidant and radioprotector against radiation-induced cataractogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey.
authors.forename: Seher Çimen
authors.initials: SÇ
authors.lastname: Ozgen
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey.
authors.forename: Dikmen
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dökmeci
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey.
authors.forename: Meryem
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Akpolat
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cetin Hakan
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Karadağ
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ozgür
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gündüz
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Erbaş
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophtalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey.
authors.forename: Omer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Benian
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cem
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Uzal
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey.
authors.forename: Fatma Nesrin
authors.initials: FN
authors.lastname: Turan
keywords: Cataract; curcumin; ionizing radiation; lipid peroxidation; oxidative stress; radioprotective