Role of Betalains as Natural Antioxidant in Modulating Renal Disorders in γ-Irradiated Mice

Document Type : Original Article

Abstract

 BETALAINS are natural antioxidants extracted from red beet (Beta vulgaris L.), prevent lipid oxidation and improve antioxidant defence system in the animal tissue.
This study investigates the protective role of betalains on γ-rays-induced renal disorders in mice. Thirty two mice were divided into four groups; the first (control group) received the vehicle only for 33 days (control), the second (betalains group) received betalains (80 mg/kg body weight/day) for 33 days, the third (irradiated group) received the vehicle for 30 days before exposed to 4 Gy γ-rays (one shot) and for 3 days after irradiation and the last (protected group) received betalains for 30 days before γ-irradiation and for 3 days after irradiation.
Gamma-rays-provoked oxidative stresses in renal tissue were indicated by significant increases of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs), carbonyl content (PC) and total nitrate/ nitrite (NOx) as well as an increase of plasma renal tubular and glomerular markers; urea (Ur), creatinine (Cr) and γ-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT). In dissimilarity, γ-rays-induced significant decreases of renal reduced glutathione (GSH) level as well as peripheral blood indices; total red blood cells (RBC), haemoglobin (Hb), platelets (Pt) and total white blood cells (WBC) and renal enzymatic antioxidants; super oxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione
S-transferase (GST).
The results indicate that the administration of betalains protects against renal disorders in mice irradiated by γ-rays.

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