Radioprotective Effect of Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester on the Brain Tissue in Rats Who Underwent Total-Head Irradiation

Abstract

Objective: In this study, we evaluated whether caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) has a radioprotective effect on the damage in the rat brain tissue induced by gamma radiation, considering that it may inhibit the ionizing radiation damage.Methods: A total of 36 Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into four groups to test the radioprotective effect of CAPE administered by intraperitoneal injection. An appropriate control group was also studied. On day 11, the brain tissue of all rats was removed and homogenized in phosphate buffer, and the total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), paraoxonase (PON), arylesterase (ARE), ceruloplasmin (CER), lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH), and total-SH parameters were measured to determine if CAPE had a protective effect.Results: The ARE and PON activity and the total-SH level were statistically increased compared to the IR group, whereas the LOOH, TOS, and OSI levels were significantly decreased.Conclusion: The data obtained in the study suggest that the CAPE administration prior to irradiation may prevent the irradiation brain damage.