The efficacy of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) in the protection against radiation-induced oxidative stress in the lung as a distant organ

Abstract

ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to measure the parameters of oxidative stress in the lungs of rats exposed to cranial radiation and to assess the potential radioprotective effectiveness of Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE). MethodsIn this study, 32 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four equal groups. The sham group received only non-radiation sham irradiation, the control group received dimethyl sulfoxide for ten days (1 ml/kg/day), the radiation group received a single dose of 5 Gy total cranial radiation and saline solution (1 ml/kg/day) for ten days, and the radiation plus CAPE group received a single dose of 5 Gy total cranial radiation and CAPE at a dose of 80 mg/kg/day, dissolved in 1 ml/kg/day of dimethyl sulfoxide for ten days. Oxidative and antioxidant parameters were measured in the lung tissue of rats. ResultsThe oxidative parameters, total oxidant status, oxidative stress index, and lipid hydroperoxide in the radiation group were significantly higher compared to the radiation plus CAPE group (p < 0.0001 for all). On the other hand, the antioxidative parameter, total antioxidant status, was significantly higher in the radiation plus CAPE group than in the other groups (p < 0.0001 for all). The levels of paraoxonase were also significantly higher in the radiation plus CAPE group compared to the other groups (p < 0.0001 for all). Ceruloplasmin was found to be higher in the control group than in the radiation group (p = 0.001). Additionally, arylesterase levels were significantly lower in the radiation group than in the other groups (p = 0.014, p = 0.002, p = 0.011). Thiol levels were lower in the radiation group compared to the sham and radiation plus CAPE groups (p = 0.013 and p = 0.004, respectively). ConclusionsThis study suggests that cranial radiation induces oxidative stress in lung tissue, and CAPE provides protection against oxidative damage by reducing oxidant parameters and increasing antioxidant parameters. These findings highlight the potential radioprotective effects of CAPE and its potential use as a therapeutic agent for mitigating the harmful effects of radiation-induced oxidative stress.