RADIOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF LIPOIC ACID IN AN EXPERIMENTAL MODEL OF ACUTE RADIATION SYNDROME

CASTRO JA; COSTANTINI MH; MONTALTO DE MECCA M; LOPEZ G; DIAZ GOMEZ MI; CASTRO GD; FORMOSA LEMOINE F; MACIEL ME

Buenos Aires

Congreso; Reunión Conjunta de Sociedades de Biociencias; 2017

Amifostine (WR-2721) is effective in reducing the acute toxicity induced by ionizing radiation. However, it has important toxic effects per se that prevent its repeated use. It is our interest to develop less toxic radioprotectors, either by themselves or as adjuvants to amifostine. In this work, using an experimental model of Sprague-Dawley rats (both sexes) exposed to X radiation (2 Gy, whole body), the radioprotective effect of lipoic acid (oxidized form) was evaluated. Groups of 8 rats were exposed at a dose of 2 Gy. At 48 hours post exposure blood samples were obtained by tail puncturing, followed by sampling at 7, 14, 21, 28 and 60 days. The erythrocyte, leukocyte and leukocyte formula were counted. Survival curves up to 60 days were also performed. Genotoxic effects in leukocytes were assessed by the Comet assay (one hour post irradiation). The effects of lipoic acid were tested by the administration as a single dose of 550 mg/kg (p.o.), 3 hours before irradiation. Amifostine was tested for comparison at a dose of 100 mg/kg (i.p., 30 minutes before exposure to X rays). In the irradiated animals erythrocytes were depleted (females, p