H. Enginar

In Vivo Radioprotective Effects of Nigella sativa L Oil and Reduced Glutathione Against Irradiation-Induced Oxidative Injury and Number of Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes in Rats

Abstract Radiotherapy is one of the most common therapies for treating human cancers. Several studies have indicated that irradiation induces reactive oxygen species (ROS), which play an important role in radiation damage of the cell. It has been shown that Nigella sativa L. (NS) and reduced glutathione (GSH) have both an antiperoxidative effect on different tissues and a scavenger effect on ROS. The purpose of this study was to determine the antioxidant and radioprotective roles of NS and GSH against irradiation-induced oxidative injury in an experimental model. The NS group was administrated NS (1 mL/kg body weight), the GSH group was injected GSH (150 mg/kg body weight) and the control group was given physiologic saline solution (1 mL/kg body weight) for 30 consecutive days before exposure to a single dose of 6 Gy of radiation. Animals were sacrificed after irradiation. Malondialdehyde, nitrate, nitrite (oxidative stress markers) and ascorbic acid, retinol, β-carotene, GSH and ceruloplasmin (nonenzymatic antioxidant markers) levels and peripheral blood lymphocytes were measured in all groups. There were statistically significant differences between the groups for all parameters (P < 0.05). Whole-body irradiation caused a significant increase in blood malondialdehyde, nitrate and nitrite levels. The blood oxidative stress marker levels in irradiated rats that were pretreated with NS and GSH were significantly decreased; however, nonenzymatic antioxidant levels were significantly increased. Also, our results suggest that NS and GSH administration prior to irradiation prevent the number of alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase peripheral blood T lymphocytes from declining. These results clearly show that NS and GSH treatment significantly antagonize the effects of radiation. Therefore, NS and GSH may be a beneficial agent in protection against ionizing radiation-related tissue injury.

Synthesis of a Novel Antiestrogen Radioligand (99mTc-TOR-DTPA)

This study was aimed at developing a hydrophilic radioligand as an antiestrogen drug derivative to be used for imaging breast tumors. Toremifene [TOR; 4-chloro-1,2-diphenyl-1-(4-(2-(N,N-di-methylamino)ethoxy)phenyl)-1-butene, as citrate salt] was selected as the starting material to be derived, since it has been used extensively as an antiestrogen drug for treatment and prevention of human breast cancer. An antiestrogen drug derivative, TOR attached to diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA), was synthesized by two experimental treatments, including a purification and a reaction step. We described the synthesis of this TOR derivative, (3Z)-4-{4-[2-(dimethylamino) ethoxy] phenyl}-3,4-diphenylbut-3-en-1-ylN,N-bis[2-(2,6-dioxomorpholin-4-yl)ethyl]glycinate (TOR-DTPA), in detail. Mass spectroscopy confirmed the expected structures. TOR-DTPA was labeled with technetium-99m ((99m)Tc), using stannous chloride (SnCl(2)) as the reducing agent. Biodistribution studies were performed on female Albino Wistar rats. Quality controls, radiochemical yield, and stability studies were done utilizing high-performance liquid chromatography, radioelectrophoresis, thin-layer chromatography, and thin-layer radiochromatography methods. The synthesized compound was found to be hydrophilic and anionic, with high stability for the duration of the testing period in vitro. The results indicated that the radiolabeled compound has estrogen-receptor specificity, especially for the breast tissue. It is highly possible that this compound could be used for imaging breast tumors as a novel technetium-labeled hydrophilic estrogen derivative radioligand.

Effect of X‐Radiation on Lipid Peroxidation and Antioxidant Systems in Rats Treated with Saponin‐containing Compounds

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of three saponin‐containing plant species extracts (Aesculuc hippocastanum L. seed extract [AHE], Medicago sativa L. extract [MSE] and Spinacia oleracea L. extract [SOE]) on lipid peroxidation and on antioxidant systems in rats exposed to X‐rays (XR). The rats were divided into three categories. The first category served as controls and received only a standard diet. The second category served as the radiation group and received 5 and 10 Gy XR dose. The third category (XR+extract‐treated) received plant extracts (25.0 or 50.0 mg kg−1 live weight) and 5 or 10 Gy XR dose. Blood samples were analyzed for their content of malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), plasma vitamin C, β‐carotene and retinol. In animals receiving XR, the plasma MDA (P < 0.001) value significantly increased but the level of GSH (P < 0.01), vitamin C (P < 0.001), retinol and β‐carotene (P < 0.001) decreased significantly with increasing XR doses. In the XR+extract‐treated groups, the concentrations of MDA increased significantly with increasing radiation but their concentrations decreased significantly with increasing extract concentrations. Plasma concentrations of GSH, β‐carotene, retinol and vitamin C in XR+extract‐treated groups decreased significantly with increasing XR dose but their concentrations increased with increasing extract doses. Further, comparison of blood samples of XR+extract‐treated groups with those from the control group showed that GSH, β‐carotene, retinol and vitamin C values increased significantly but that MDA values decreased significantly. The results showed that all extracts have enhanced the antioxidant status and decreased the incidence of free radical‐induced lipid peroxidation in blood samples of rats exposed to XR. However, the antioxidant effect of AHE‐administered animals was more effective than that of MSE‐ and SOE‐administered whole‐body XR rats. We conclude that the supplementation with saponin‐containing extracts may serve to reinforce the antioxidant systems, thus having protective effect against cell damage by XR.

A correlative study between 99mTc-ESTCPTA and 99mTc-MIBI in rats.

Tissue distribution of the 99mTc labeled derivative of the estrogen compound 3,17-alpha-estradiolyl propyl 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecanyl-l-(4-methylbenzoic acid) ester (ESTCPTA), which has an 3,17-alpha-estradiolyl propinol coupled to l-(4-methylbenzoic acid)1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (CPTA), was compared to 99mTc-MIBI (methoxyisobutyl isonitrile) in female Albino Wistar rats. Tissues of interest included lung, liver, heart, kidneys, spleen, stomach, intestines, pancreas, muscle, blood, breast, ovary, fat, and uterus. 99mTc-ESTCPTA uptake by the uterus and ovary, as ER-rich tissues, was highly selective. Maximum uptakes for 99mTc-MIBI and 99mTc-ESTCPTA are 90 min in breast, ovary and uterus. The pancreas also showed significant receptor saturated and unsaturated ratios for 99mTc-ESTCPTA. Results are sufficiently encouraging to generate further evaluation of these and related compounds as possible estrogen receptor based tumor imaging and therapeutic agents in estrogen-rich tissues.

Synthesis, radiolabeling and biodistribution of morphine glucuronide (mor-glu)

The aim of this study was to synthesize a glucuronide conjugated morphine derivative which could be labeled with 131I, as a radiopharmaceutical, and to investigate its radiopharmaceutical potential using biodistribution studies in male Albino Wistar rats. Morphine was extracted from dry capsules of the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.). It was conjugated with UDP-glucuronic acid by using UDP-glucuronyl transferase (UDPGT) enzyme rich microsomes, purified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), infrared (IR) spectroscopy and liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy (LC-MS/MS). Normal and receptor blockage biodistribution studies were performed in male Albino Wistar rats. The results of the tissue distribution studies showed that 131I labeled morphine glucuronide (131I-mor-glu) uptake in the small intestine, large intestine and urinary bladder was higher than in the other tissues of the rats in the blocked receptor and unblocked receptor. A greater uptake of the radio labeled substance was observed in the hypothalamus and mid brain than in the other branches of the rats’ brains.

An oestrogen-derivative labeled with 99mTc and its radiopharmaceutical potential

An oestrogen derivative 3,17-a-oestradiolyl propyl 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecanyl-1-(4-methylbenzoic acid)ester (ESTCPTA) that is 3,17-a-oestradiolyl propinol coupled to 1-(4-methylbenzoic acid)1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (CPTA) was synthesized in five steps. The product was purified by recrystallization in ethyl alcohol, and analysed by NMR and IR spectroscopy. ESTCPTA was labeled with 99mTc and radio thin layer chromatography (RTLC) and radio-paper electrophoresis were used to determine the radiochemical yields. Specific activity was approximately 23.7 GBq/mmol and the labeling yield was over 95%. The biodistribution studies were performed on female Albino Wistar rats. The rats were sacricified by ether narcotization at certain time intervals and the activity of the organs was counted by a gamma counter. The activity per gram tissue was calculated and time activity curves were generated.

Extraction, radiolabeling, and biodistribution of thebaine in rats

The goal of this study was to determine the radiopharmaceutical potential of radioiodinated thebaine. Thebaine was extracted from dry capsules of opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.), purified using high-performance liquid chromatography, and characterized with nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopy. The purified thebaine was labeled with 131I using the iodogen method. Normal and receptor-blockage biodistribution studies were performed in male Albino Wistar rats. The results of the tissue distribution studies showed that the uptake of 131I-thebaine in the stomach, large intestine, spinal cord, and prostate was higher than in the other tissues. A greater uptake of radiolabeled thebaine in the rat brain was observed in the midbrain and hypothalamus. We concluded that (1) the labeling yield of 131I-thebaine was high, (2) a large amount of 131I-thebaine remained in the midbrain and hypothalamus, and (3) 131I-thebaine had enough stability for diagnostic scanning.

Synthesis of a 99mTc labeled estrogen-derivative and the determination of its radiopharmaceutical potential on rats

An estrogen derivative 1-(3, 17-α-estradiolyl propin-1-yl-3-(1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecyl)-propanate (ESTACPA) was synthesized. The product was purified by HPLC and characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy. The synthesized compound was labeled with 99mTc. The biodistribution studies were performed on female Albino Wistar rats. The rats were sacrificed and their organs were removed. The radioactivities of the organs were counted using a gamma-counter. The activity per gram tissue was calculated and time versus activity curves were generated. The 99mTc-ESTACPA uptake by the uterus and ovary such as ER-rich tissues, were observed. The pancreas and stomach also showed a significant uptake.