WR-2721 (AMIFOSTINE, ETHYOL?µ) PREVENTS MOTOR AND MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES INDUCED BY NEONATAL X-IRRADIATION

GUELMAN, L. R; ZORRILLA Z., M. A; RIOS, H; ZIEHER, L. M

NEUROCHEMISTRY INTERNATIONAL

Elsevier

Año: 2003 vol. 42 p. 385 - 391

0197-0186

Neonatal X-irradiation induces permanent abnormalities in cerebellar cortex cytoarchitecture and neurochemistry, as well as impairmentin motor gait. The aim of the present work was to examine the potential protective properties of WR-2721 (Amifostine, Ethyol®), afree radical scavenger, against the above mentioned alterations by using a previously described neuroprotection assessment protocol.Pre-irradiation treatment with amifostine was effective in partially preventing the cerebellar morphological damage and the motor gaitimpairment induced by ionizing radiation. No changes in cerebellar noradrenaline (NA) levels were detected in amifostine-treated irradiatedanimals. These results suggest that it is possible to counteract radiation-induced damage in the cerebella and motor gait of neonatal ratsthrough oxygen free radical scavenger administration prior to irradiation. The presence of the agent before the injury occurs, favors theefficacy of amifostine neuroprotective activity. Clinical implications of this model are related to the daily exposure of many people todifferent sources of radiation (accidental, diagnostical or therapeutical).