Gamma-aminobutyric acid ameliorates gamma rays-induced oxidative stress in the small intestine of rats

Amr M Abd El-Hady,Noaman A Eltahawy,Hanan S Gewefel,Manal A Badawi

doi:10.1186/s41936-017-0005-3

Abstract

BackgroundThe current study aimed to evaluate the role of gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) in modulating histopathological and biochemical disturbances in the rat’s small intestine following gamma radiation exposure.ResultsThe results showed that whole body gamma irradiation (6 Gy) of rats induced mucosal damage, hemorrhage, increased cellularity of the lamina propria layer with areas of complete ulcerations. Histopathological changes were associated with a significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs). In parallel, a significant decrease in catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities was demonstrated. Administration of GABA (200 mg/kg body weight GABA daily via gastric gavage for three consecutive weeks) after irradiation of rats has significantly improved the oxidant/antioxidant status which was associated with regeneration of the small intestinal cell structure.ConclusionGastric administration of GABA was found to offer an advantageous treatment against gamma irradiation-induced small intestine oxidative stress in rats, probably by utilizing ameliorative effects via its antioxidant and free radical-scavenging activities. Its mechanisms need to be further investigated.

Highlights

The current study aimed to evaluate the role of gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) in modulating histopathological and biochemical disturbances in the rat’s small intestine following gamma radiation exposure
Histopathologic observations The intestinal specimens obtained from the control and GABA groups were examined showing a normal histological structure of the villi and crypts (Fig. 3a, c) with normal Paneth cells (Figs. 3b, d and 4h, i)
Histochemical observations Normal distribution of periodic acid Schiff (PAS) +ve materials was observed in the jejunal tissue of both the control and GABA-treated rats; this was justified by moderate staining affinity of the PAS +ve materials

Summary

Introduction

The current study aimed to evaluate the role of gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) in modulating histopathological and biochemical disturbances in the rat’s small intestine following gamma radiation exposure. Radiation exposure damages the intestinal crypts and endocrine glands of the GI tract (Hauer-Jensen, Wang, Boerma, Fu, & Denham, 2007). Radiation enteropathy occurs during radiotherapy as a result of intestinal crypts cell death, lacking the villus epithelium replacement and mucosal inflammation processes (Hauer-Jensen, Denham, & Andreyev, 2014). Damage of intestinal villi could be one of the major problems following radiotherapy process which in turn leads to reduction or loss of the digestive enzymes. Besides the digestion and absorption of nutrients, the small intestinal epithelium contributes in host defense processes and in the elimination of pathogens (Müller, Autenrieth, & Peschel, 2005). Paneth cells have several apical cytoplasmic granules which, on cell stimulation, can be discharged into the crypt lumen (Ouellette, Satchell, Hsieh, Hagen, & Selsted, 2000)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion