Protective effect of l-carnitine on ionizing radiation-induced damage in rat submandibular gland

Abstract

Background Radiotherapy is a method of treatment for many head and neck cancers. The salivary glands are radiosensitive. l-Carnitine can ameliorate the toxic changes of radiation on rats. Aim of the work The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of l-carnitine on radiation toxicity in rat submandibular salivary gland. Materials and methods Sixty adult male albino rats were divided randomly into four groups of 15 rats each. Group I (the control group) animals received 300 mg/kg body weight saline daily for 2 consecutive weeks through gavage. Group II animals received 300 mg/kg body weight l-carnitine daily for 2 weeks through gavage. Group III animals were irradiated with a single dose of gamma irradiation at a dose rate of 0.66 Gy/min. Group IV animals received l-carnitine daily for 2 weeks through gavage and were then exposed to a single radiation dose. The animals were sacrificed 24 h after the last treatment and radiation dose. Both submandibular glands were extracted for H&E and EM studies. Results In the present study, group III revealed marked vacuolization and widening of the acini with congested blood vessels and severe damage to cytoplasmic organelles and nucleus. The glands of group IV rats showed a reduction in vacuolization in the acini, with widening of the spaces between acini. There was an increase in the number of cytoplasmic organelles and an increase in the size of the nuclei. Conclusion l-Carnitine can ameliorate the toxic changes of radiation on rat submandibular salivary gland.