Preventive effect of pentoxifylline on acute radiation damage via antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways.

PURPOSE

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether pentoxifylline (PTX) treatment could protect against induced acute radiation enteritis.

METHOD

Rats received 100 mg/kg/day PTX for 7 days before irradiation and continued on treatment for 3 days after irradiation. The intestinal myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), prostaglandin E2, and thromboxane B2 levels were determined. Terminal ileum tissue was evaluated for morphological changes. Also, nuclear factor kappa (NF-kappa), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) expressions were analyzed with immunohistochemisty methods.

RESULTS

PTX treatment was associated with increased GSH levels and decreased MPO activity and MDA, prostaglandin E2, and thromboxane B2 levels. Histopathologic examination showed that intestinal mucosal structure was preserved in the PTX-treated group while having significant decreases in NF-kappaB, TNF-a, and ICAM-1 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

PTX appears to have a protective effect against radiation damage. This protective effect is mediated in part by decreasing both inflammatory reactions and oxidative stress.