Effect of alpha-lipoic acid on radiation-induced small intestine injury in mice

// Bae Kwon Jeong 1, 4 , Jin Ho Song 1, 4 , Hojin Jeong 1, 4 , Hoon Sik Choi 1 , Jung Hwa Jung 2, 4 , Jong Ryeal Hahm 2, 4 , Seung Hoon Woo 3, 4 , Myeong Hee Jung 5 , Bong-Hoi Choi 6 , Jin Hyun Kim 4, 5 , Ki Mun Kang 1, 4 1 Department of Radiation Oncology, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine and Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju, Republic of Korea 2 Department of Internal Medicine, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine and Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju, Republic of Korea 3 Department of Otolaryngology, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine and Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju, Republic of Korea 4 Institute of Health Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Republic of Korea 5 Biomedical Research Institute, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju, Republic of Korea 6 Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Republic of Korea Correspondence to: Ki Mun Kang, e-mail: jsk92@gnu.ac.kr Jin Hyun Kim, e-mail: ajini7044@hanmail.net Keywords: radiation therapy, alpha-lipoic acid, small intestine, oxidative stress, inflammation Received: October 05, 2015      Accepted: January 23, 2016      Published: March 03, 2016 ABSTRACT Purpose: Radiation therapy is a highly effective treatment for patients with solid tumors. However, it can cause damage and inflammation in normal tissues. Here, we investigated the effects of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) as radioprotection agent for the small intestine in a mouse model. Materials and Methods: Whole abdomen was evenly irradiated with total a dose of 15 Gy. Mice were treated with either ALA (100 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection [i.p.]) or saline (equal volume, i.p.) the prior to radiation as 100 mg/kg/day for 3 days. Body weight, food intake, histopathology, and biochemical parameters were evaluated. Results: Significant differences in body weight and food intake were observed between the radiation (RT) and ALA + RT groups. Moreover, the number of crypt cells was higher in the ALA + RT group. Inflammation was decreased and recovery time was shortened in the ALA + RT group compared with the RT group. The levels of inflammation-related factors (i.e., phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa B and matrix metalloproteinase-9) and mitogen-activated protein kinases were significantly decreased in the ALA + RT group compared with those in the RT group. Conclusions: ALA treatment prior to radiation decreases the severity and duration of radiation-induced enteritis by reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and cell death.