Evaluation the health effects of low doses gamma irradiations on liver of obese rats

Low-dose ionizing radiation has major health impacts in a variety of fields, including radiation therapy. However, all potential applications are currently subject to public interest.

This study is an endeavor to evaluate the role of low dose gamma irradiation against the adverse effects of obesity in obese rats.

Thirty-six rats were divided into 4 equal groups;”G1” is a normal control group; ”G2” received a high-fat diet for 16 weeks to induce obesity; ”G3” rats also received a high-fat diet for 16 weeks in addition to being exposed to 0.5 Gray γ- radiation for 2 weeks, two twice a week (accumulated dose =4×0.5=2 Gray); “G4”  were normal rats, but also exposed to 0.5 Gray  γ- radiation for 2 weeks, twice a week (accumulated dose =4×0.5=2 Gray). Rats were anaesthetized at the end of the experiment, and blood samples as well as liver tissues were collected for both biochemical and histological studies.

There are harmful effects on the liver of obese rats, which include elevated levels of liver weight, liver functions, Malondialdehyde and lipids and diminished glutathione, as well as increased levels of C reactive protein and lipase in “G2” compared to “G1”. In contrast, low-dose fractionated gamma irradiation has a significant reduction in these harmful effects of obesity.

The findings of the current study suggest that fractionated low-dose gamma irradiation plays a significant role against the harmful effects of obesity, and thus could augment and support the aim of current study by drawing attention to the health impacts of low-doses gamma irradiation.