Ferulic acid (FA) abrogates ionizing radiation-induced oxidative damage in murine spleen.
The spleen is a crucial organ manifesting immune functions. Thus, radiation-induced oxidative challenge is vulnerable for the spleen. Our major objective was to protect the spleen from radiation-induced anomalous situations and to identify the signaling pathways involved.



Swiss albino mice were treated with ferulic acid (FA) once in a day at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight for 5 consecutive days before exposing them to single dose of 10 Gy irradiation. The ROS generation and MMP change were determined by flow cytometry. The expression of different signaling proteins was investigated by immunoblotting and immunocytochemistry.



FA pretreatment significantly prevented radiation-induced oxidative stress by downregulating TBARS formation and by upregulating SOD and catalase activity. FA scavenged ROS, prevented the alteration of MMP and downregulated the expression of stress marker Cdc42 and apoptotic markers p53, p21, Bax and PTEN. Cell cycle analysis showed DNA damage induced arrest of cells at subG0/G1 phase. Moreover, pretreatment with FA augmented Bcl2 expression and also increased the level of p-PI3K.



FA prevented the activation of apoptotic signaling events in the spleen by interfering with the free radical chain reaction and by scavenging superfluous ROS. This is perhaps the first comprehensive study with a mechanistic viewpoint that FA can protect the spleen from ionizing radiation.
a Department of Physiology , Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology and Centre with Potential for Excellence in Particular Area (CPEPA), University of Calcutta , Kolkata , India.
Ujjal
U
Das
a Department of Physiology , Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology and Centre with Potential for Excellence in Particular Area (CPEPA), University of Calcutta , Kolkata , India.
Sushobhan
S
Biswas
a Department of Physiology , Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology and Centre with Potential for Excellence in Particular Area (CPEPA), University of Calcutta , Kolkata , India.
Aaveri
A
Sengupta
a Department of Physiology , Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology and Centre with Potential for Excellence in Particular Area (CPEPA), University of Calcutta , Kolkata , India.
Krishnendu
K
Manna
b Division of Radiation Biology , UGC-DAE CSR Center Kolkata , Bidhan Nagar , Kolkata , India.
Anindita
A
Chakraborty
a Department of Physiology , Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology and Centre with Potential for Excellence in Particular Area (CPEPA), University of Calcutta , Kolkata , India.
Sanjit
S
Dey
D000818:Animals; D003373:Coumaric Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000528:radiation effects; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000276:immunology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014916:Whole-Body Irradiation / Q000009:adverse effects
D003373:Coumaric Acids; D016207:Cytokines; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; C004999:ferulic acid
Apoptosis; ferulic acid (FA); gamma radiation; oxidative stress; spleen