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Pycnogenol ® protects against Ionizing radiation as shown in the intestinal mucosa of rats exposed to X‐rays
Author(s) -
de Moraes Ramos Flávia Maria,
Schönlau Frank,
Novaes Pedro Duarte,
Manzi Flávio Ricardo,
Bóscolo Frab Norberto,
de Almeida Solange Maria
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
phytotherapy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.019
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1573
pISSN - 0951-418X
DOI - 10.1002/ptr.1934
Subject(s) - ionizing radiation , irradiation , antioxidant , radiolysis , reactive oxygen species , intestinal mucosa , chemistry , radiation injury , medicine , nuclear medicine , radiochemistry , radiation therapy , radical , biochemistry , physics , nuclear physics
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. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.