Black Grape Juice Protects Spleen from Lipid Oxidation Induced by Gamma Radiation in Rats

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the effects of black grape juice (BGJ) against gamma radiation-induced damage in rats. Rats were exposed (PI) or not (PNI) to radiation and BGJ (2 mL/Kg of body weight) was administrated to irradiated animals (SI) and to nonirradiated animals (SNI). Blood was collected at different time points after irradiation for blood cells counts. The spleen of the animals was removed for weight, lipid peroxidation (LPO) and antioxidant defenses estimation. Blood cell count decreased, whereas LPO and catalase activity increased in spleen along with a decrease in the organ weight after irradiation. Despite the lack of protective effect on hematological parameters and catalase activity, BGJ attenuated LPO induced by gamma radiation. This protective effect seems to be related to the phenolic compounds found in BGJ, such as resveratrol, quercetin and rutin. We demonstrated that BGJ plays a beneficial role in damage caused by gamma radiation by preventing spleen LPO. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Grape products, such as black grape juice (BGJ), and their polyphenol compounds have several properties that can be useful in prevention and treatment of many conditions. One of these properties is the antioxidant capacity, which makes of phenolic compounds, such as resveratrol, quercetin and rutin, good exogenous scavengers of free radicals. The present study demonstrates that BGJ exhibits a radiomodifier potential against gamma radiation by exerting antioxidant effects and, hence, it can be used as a valuable agent for managing radiation exposure.