Acta Pharm. 57 (2007) 1-12

full paper

Original research paper

Role of germanium L-cysteine α-tocopherol complex as stimulator of some antioxidant defense system in gamma-irradiated rats

MAMDOUH M. ALI^1*, EMAN NOAMAN², SHERIEN KAMAL¹, SAAED SOLIMAN² and DINA A. ISMAIL³

mmali1999@yahoo.com

¹Biochemistry Department, Division of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National, Research Center, Cairo, Egypt

²Radiobiology Department, National Center for Radiation Research and Technology, Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo, Egypt

³Petrochemical Department, Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute, Cairo, Egypt

Accepted January 8, 2007

This study was conducted to evaluate the potency of the newly prepared germanium L-cysteine α-tocopherol complex [germanium dichloro tetrakis (L-cysteinyl-α-tocopherol amide) dichloride] as a protective agent against γ-irradiation-induced free radicals production and liver toxicity. Male Swiss albino rats were injected intraperitoneally with the germanium complex in a concentration of 75 mg kg^-1 body mass per dose, for 6 successive doses, last dose administered twenty minutes pre-exposure to a single dose of whole body γ-irradiation of 6.5 Gy. Lipid peroxidation (LPx), nitric oxide (NO), glutathione (GSH) levels, and activity of the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) were estimated in blood and liver, and blood total protein, cholesterol, triglyceride and α-tocopherol content were estimated as well. The results revealed that administration of germanium complex pre-irradiation resulted in significant (p < 0.001) improvement compared to the irradiated group in the level of hepatic and blood LPx. Hepatic GSH revealed a significant increase (p < 0.001), while its level showed no significant variation in blood. Also, the level of NO in blood and liver increased significantly (p < 0.001). On the other hand, pretreatment with the germanium complex normalized the activities of SOD, GPx and CAT in blood and liver when compared to the irradiated group. The study also documents a marked decrease in the blood triglyceride and cholesterol (p < 0.001); and significant increase (p < 0.001) of a-tocopherol and total protein contents in blood. These biochemical changes were associated with marked improvement of histological status. Therefore, the germanium L-cysteine α-tocopherol complex may be a good candidate for ameliorating the changes induced by irradiation, which indicates the beneficial radio-protective role of this antioxidant agent.

Keywords: germanium L-cysteine α-tocopherol, γ-irradiation, liver, antioxidant enzymes