Title:Histopathological Evaluation of Nanocurcumin for Mitigation of Radiation-
Induced Small Intestine Injury
Volume: 16
Issue: 1
Author(s): Alireza Ghanbarzadeh, Bagher Farhood, Farshid Alazmani Noodeh, Reza Mosaed, Gholamreza Hassanzadeh, Hamed Bagheri*Masoud Najafi*
Affiliation:
- AJA Radiation Sciences Research Center (ARSRC), AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Radiation Biology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Medical Technology Research Center, Institute of Health Technology, Kermanshah University
of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
Keywords:
Nano-micelle curcumin, small intestine, radiation, mitigation, acute radiation syndrome, injury.
Abstract:
Aim: In the current study, we aimed to mitigate radiation-induced small intestinal toxicity
using post-irradiation treatment with nano-micelle curcumin.
Background: Small intestine is one of the most radiosensitive organs within the body. Wholebody
exposure to an acute dose of ionizing radiation may lead to severe injuries to this tissue and
may even cause death after some weeks.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate histopathological changes in the small intestine following
whole-body irradiation and treatment with nanocurcumin.
Materials and Methods: Forty male Nordic Medical Research Institute mice were grouped into
control, treatment with 100 mg/kg nano-micelle curcumin, whole-body irradiation with cobalt-60
gamma-rays (dose rate of 60 cGy/min and a single dose of 7 Gy), and treatment with 100 mg/kg
nano-micelle curcumin 1 day after whole-body irradiation for 4 weeks. Afterward, all mice were
sacrificed for histopathological evaluation of their small intestinal tissues.
Results: Irradiation led to severe damage to villi, crypts, glands as well as vessels, leading to
bleeding. Administration of nano-micelle curcumin after whole-body irradiation showed a statistically
significant improvement in radiation toxicity of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum (including
a reduction in infiltration of polymorphonuclear cells, villi length shortening, goblet cells injury,
Lieberkühn glands injury and bleeding). Although treatment with nano-micelle curcumin showed
increased bleeding in the ileum for non-irradiated mice, its administration after irradiation was
able to reduce radiation-induced bleeding in the ileum.
Conclusion: Treatment with nano-micelle curcumin may be useful for mitigation of radiationinduced
gastrointestinal system toxicity via suppression of inflammatory cells’ infiltration and
protection against villi and crypt shortening.
