Reducing the Histopathological Changes of Radioiodine to the Lacrimal Glands by a Popular Anti-Oxidant: Lycopene

Abstract

Purpose of the study: Radioiodine (RAI) has been used for the treatment of hyperthyroidism and well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma for more than 70 years. Lycopene is an anti-oxidant, which is plentiful in red fruits. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible inhibitory effect of lycopene on the RAI-induced acute histopathological changes in rat lacrimal glands.Methods: In this experimental animal study, 32 rats were randomly divided into three groups. The first group (control group, n = 8) was not given neither 131I nor lycopene, the second group (RAI group, n = 12) was administrated a single dose of 3 mCi 131I and 1 cc physiologic saline by gastric gavage. The third group (lycopene group, n = 12) was administrated 3 mCi 131I and 1 cc lycopene by gastric gavage. After 24 h of the last dose, the animals were decapitated on the seventh day and their lacrimal glands were removed for histopathological examination.Results: The cell shape and the cell size variation and poorly defined acidophilic cell outlines in all lacrimal glands were observed significantly less frequently in the lycopene group than in the RAI group.Conclusions: Our histopathological examinations have revealed that lycopene prevents rat lacrimal glands against RAI-related acute histopathological changes.