Post-irradiation protective effects of ectoine on brain and testicles in male mice.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to investigate the possible post-irradiation protective effects of ectoine on CNS and testes of male mice.

METHODS: The study included thirty male Swiss albino mice (20-22 gm). Mice were divided into five groups (six each); controls (injected intraperitoneally with 0.2ml saline), irradiated group 1 (received six Gy whole body x-irradiation single dose, injected with saline, and sacrificed after one day), irradiated group 2 (x-irradiated, injected with saline, and sacrificed after one week), ectoine group 1 (x-irradiated, injected with 200mg/kg ectoine, and sacrificed after one day), and ectoine group 2 (x-irradiated, injected daily with 200mg/kg ectoine, and sacrificed after one week). IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, PGE2 , MDA, GSH, GSSG, and GSH/GSSG ratio were evaluated in CNS and testes.

RESULTS: IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, PGE2 , and MDA are significantly elevated in the CNS and testes of x-irradiated groups when compared with controls. IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and PGE2 significantly elevated at one week than one day while MDA significantly decreased. A significant decrease in the concentration of GSH and in the GSH/GSSG ratios coupled with an opposite effect on GSSG was noted. Ectoine treatment significantly ameliorated the biochemical effects induced by whole body x-irradiation. All the tested parameters tended to go back to near control values. It was noted that the modulating action was dependent on the accumulation of ectoine as it was more effective after repeated administration.

CONCLUSION: Ectoine has post-irradiation protective effects on CNS and testes via its action on inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways.