Choline glycerophosphate and silymarin modulate brain and intestinal injuries in rats exposed to gamma-radiation

the aim of this study was to investigate the role of choline glycerophosphate (GPC) either alone or combined with silymarin in modulating whole body gamma irradiation-induced brain and intestinal injuries in rats.

Rats were irradiated with 7Gy then subjected to GPC and/ or silymarin for two weeks. At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed then, brain and intestine samples were removed for biochemical, molecular and histopathological examinations.

it has been detected that GPC alone or combined with silymarin ameliorated the adverse effects of radiation as revealed by the inhibition of oxidative stress, apoptotic and inflammatory markers [Malondialdehyde (MDA), Caspase-3 Tumors necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kB)]. However, Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), anti-inflammatory marker, Interleukin-10 (IL-10) and inhibitor of Nuclear factor kappa-Ba (IkBa) mRNA were increased. This was also accompanied by a significant increase in the Acetylcholine (ACh) level, Choline Acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity and Alpha-7 nicotinic receptor (α7nAChR), mRNA-expression and a significant decrease in the activity of Acetylcholine esterase (AChE) as compared with the corresponding values of the irradiated group. Moreover, a reduction in the tissue lesions was observed in brain and intestinal tissues.

Choline glycerolphosphate and silymarin exhibited modulating effect against detrimental effects of gamma-radiation via cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway.