Grape Seed Proanthocyanidins Exert a Radioprotective Effect on the Testes and Intestines Through Antioxidant Effects and Inhibition of MAPK Signal Pathways.

Hui Shen,Chunlei Liu,Jun Han,Yijuan Huang,Fei Cao

doi:10.3389/fmed.2021.836528

Abstract

The testes and intestines are highly sensitive to ionizing radiation. Low-dose radiation can cause infertility and enteritis. However, there is a lack of safe and efficient radioprotective agents. This study aims to investigate the radioprotective effects of grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSPs) on testicular and intestinal damage induced by ionizing radiation. In vitro, GSPs reduced the apoptosis and proliferation inhibition of mouse testicular stromal cells TM3 and human small intestinal crypt epithelial cells HIEC induced by ionizing radiation, and alleviated DNA double-strand breaks. In vivo, GSPs ameliorated the pathological damage of the testes and intestines induced by ionizing radiation, and protected the endocrine function of the testes and the barrier function of the intestines. In addition, we preliminarily proved that the radioprotective effect of GSPs is related to its antioxidant effect and inhibition of MAPK signaling pathways. Our results indicate that GSPs are expected to be a safe and effective radioprotective drug.

Highlights

With the widespread application of nuclear energy in industry, medical, military and other fields, the probability of exposure to ionizing radiation (IR) by radiologists, patients, and the public has gradually increased
This study aims to investigate the radioprotective effects of grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSPs) on testicular and intestinal damage induced by ionizing radiation
When the concentration of grape seed proanthocyanidins raise to 40 μg/ml, the radioprotective effect no longer increased with the increase of the drug concentration

Summary

Introduction

With the widespread application of nuclear energy in industry, medical, military and other fields, the probability of exposure to ionizing radiation (IR) by radiologists, patients, and the public has gradually increased. Male spermatogenic cells and intestinal epithelial cells are extremely sensitive to ionizing radiation, especially spermatogonia [1] and intestinal crypt stem cells [2, 3]. Twentyfive miiligray of ionizing radiation can cause the apoptosis of spermatogonia, which in turn affects spermatogenesis, and affects the number of sperm produced in the testis and the quality of sperm in the epididymis [4, 5]. Ionizing radiation causes decrease of the daily sperm production, increase of the sperm deformity rate, decrease of the interstitial cells, and decrease of the overall weight of the testes [6, 7]. Ionizing radiation causes block of the differentiation of intestinal stem cells into various functional cells, cause extensive necrosis of intestinal epithelial cells, damage the mechanical and immune barriers of intestinal epithelium, and cause severe gastrointestinal bleeding, diarrhea, bacteremia and electrolyte disorders, etc. The research on the radiation protection of the testes and intestines is of great significance

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