Abstract:

This study investigated the protective effect of genistein extracted from fructus sophorae (FSGen) on intestinal damage caused by radiation. After FSGen treatment of rat intestinal epithelial cells (IEC-6) for 24 h, the cells were irradiated with X-rays at an absorbed dose of 6 Gy. Cell counting kit-8 and flow cytometry were used to detect cell proliferation and apoptosis 48 h after irradiation, and the extent of DNA damage was detected by comet assay 72 h later. C57BL/6J female mice were subcutaneously injected with FSGen at a dose of 200 mg/kg. After 24 h, they received whole-body irradiation with X-rays at a dose of 7.5 Gy. After 8 d, pathological changes in the small intestine were observed by HE staining. The expression of intestinal IFN-γ was detected by immunohistochemistry, and the apoptosis of small intestinal cells was detected by TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling. Results showed that a low dose of FSgen could promote the proliferation of IEC-6 cells and improve survival rate after irradiation, whereas a high dose can inhibit cell proliferation. Compared with the radiation control group, 5 μmol/L FSGen pretreatment could effectively improve the survival rate of IEC-6 cells, reduce the apoptosis induced by irradiation, and significantly reduce the comet tail DNA content and tail moment. Compared with the radiation control group, the mice administered with FSGen in advance had less villus shedding, better intestinal structure damage, lower expression of IFN-γ in small intestine tissue, and less apoptosis. The results reveal that FSGen has a significant protective effect on radiation-induced intestinal injury.

Key words: Radiation injury, Genistein, Radiation-protective agents, Fructus sophorae