The Protective Effects Of Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester Against Radiation-induced Hepatic Injury In A Murine Model

Objective To evaluate the protective effect of Caffeic acid phenethyl ester(CAPE)on the acute radio-induced liver injury of rat , after a single 30-Gy fraction was administered to the upper abdomen.Methods 40 Sprague - Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:group A (saline +sham RT, control group, n =10) , group B (CAPE +sham RT group , n= 10) ,group C (CAPE +RT group, n =10)and group D (saline +RT , n = 10) . A single 30-Gy fraction was administered to the upper abdomen of rats. After a-4 days of radiotherapy (or sham radiotherapy) the samples were collected from each rats for each group. Liver tissue was collected for measurement of SOD, GSH, NO, iNOS and evaluation of radiation induced liver toxicity by analysis of apoptosis ,pathological changes under both an optical microscope and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Serum alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured by an automatic biochemical analyzer.Results After a single 30-Gy fraction was administered to the upper abdomen, the levels of ALT AST and the number of TUNEL positive hepatocyte nuclei in group A was not significantly different from that of group B . The levels of ALT AST and the number of TUNEL positive hepatocyte nuclei in group C and D were higher than those in the non-RT group after irradiation (P<0.05). Histologic examination of the liver biopsy specimens showed varying degrees of hydropic degeneration in the rats subjected to RT with saline pretreatment. These hydropic degeneration changes were much less prominent in the rats pretreated with CAPE before RT. GSH, SOD, NO and iNOS production in liver tissue in group A was not significantly different from that of group B after RT (P>0.05). But the rats in group C exhibited significantly lower levels of liver enzyme activity, apoptotic response, and NO level but significantly higher levels of SOD and GSH ,compared with those in group D.The expression of iNOS was signi?cantly attenuated in group C compared with group D in 4 days after RT (P <0.05) .Conclusion 1.Clear free radical with CAPE reduced radiation-induced apoptosis and protected the liver against acute radiation-induced damage. 2. Reduced radiation-induced iNOS expressionwith CAPE and protected the liver against acute radiation-induced apoptosis.