Role of germanium L-cysteine a-tocopherol complex as stimulator to some antioxidant defense system in gamma-irradiated rats

Abstract EN

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the potency of new prepared germanium L-cysteine -tocopherol complex [Germanium, dichloro tetrakis (L-cysteinyl--tocopherol amide), dichloride] having the formula Ge [C32H50NO3S]4Cl4 as a protective agent against gamma-irradiation-induced free radicals production and liver toxicity. Materials and Methods: Male Swiss albino rats were injected intraperitoneally with germanium complex in a concentration of 75 mg/kg body weight/dose for 6 successive doses last dose administered twenty minutes pre-exposure to a single dose of whole body -irradiation of 6.5 Gy.

Lipid peroxidation (LPx), nitric oxide (NO), glutathione (GSH) levels, and activity of the antioxidant scavenger enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) were estimated in blood and liver, also serum total protein, cholesterol, and triglyceride as well as blood -tocopherol contents were also estimated. Results: The result revealed that, exposure to radiation induced marked elevation in the level of LPx and NO accompanied by a decline in GSH content and in the activity of related antioxidant enzymes. The present study also documents a marked increase in the level of triglyceride and cholesterol, and reduction in total protein and a-tocopherol contents.

These biochemical changes were associated with marked histological changes in liver tissue including liver fibrosis and necrosis with mononuclear leucocytic inflammatory cell, infiltration the dilated portal vein in the portal area associated with proliferation of diffuse Kupffer cells.

Pretreatment with germanium complex potentially ameliorate the biochemical and histological changes induced by irradiation. Conclusion: The treatment of rats with germanium L-cysteine -tocopherol compound prior to whole body -irradiation seems to exert a beneficial antioxidant protective effect through enhancement the antioxidant system and it also offers a considerable protection against radiation induced liver injury.