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Evidence of Zinc in Affording Protection Against X-Ray-Induced Brain Injury in Rats

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Abstract

In the present world, X-rays have been regarded as one of the most efficient tools in medicine, industry and research. On the contrary, extensive human exposure to these rays is responsible for causing detrimental effects on physiological system. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of zinc (Zn), if any, in mitigating the adverse effects induced by fractionated X-irradiation on rat brain. Female Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 170–200 g were divided into four different groups viz.: (a) normal control, (b) X-irradiated (21Gy), (c) zinc treated (227 mg/L in drinking water) and (d) X-irradiated + zinc treated. The skulls of animals belonging to groups (b) and (d) were exposed to X-rays in 30 fractions. Each fraction delivered a radiation dose of 70 rads, and rats were exposed to two fractions every day for 15 days, consecutively. X-ray treatment resulted in significant alterations in the neurobehavior, neurotransmitter levels and neuro-histoarchitecture of rats, whereas zinc co-treatment with X-rays resulted in significant improvement in these parameters. X-ray exposure also caused a significant increase in the levels of lipid peroxidation as well as activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase, which however were decreased upon simultaneous Zn treatment. On the contrary, X-ray treatment down-regulated the glutathione system, which were found to be up-regulated by zinc co-treatment. Further, protein expressions of p53 and NF-ҚB were found to be significantly elevated after X-irradiation, which were reversed following Zn supplementation. Hence, Zn seems to be an effective agent in mitigating the detrimental effects caused by exposure to X-rays.

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Authors’ Contributions

PS, NS, and DKD have designed this study as well as drafted this manuscript. All the authors have critically reviewed the content of this manuscript. PS and NS have performed various experiments and did analysis of data.

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  1. Department of Biophysics, Panjab University, Sector-25, Chandigarh, 160014, India

    Priyanka Sharma, Neha Singla & D. K. Dhawan

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  1. Priyanka Sharma
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  2. Neha Singla
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Correspondence to Neha Singla or D. K. Dhawan.

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We are grateful to University Grants Commission (UGC) (UGC-34-294/2008 SR), New Delhi, India.

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Sharma, P., Singla, N. & Dhawan, D.K. Evidence of Zinc in Affording Protection Against X-Ray-Induced Brain Injury in Rats. Biol Trace Elem Res 179, 247–258 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-017-0976-4

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