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Pravastatin reduces radiation-induced damage in normal tissues
Hiroshi Doi1, Seiji Matsumoto2, Soichi Odawara1
1Department of Radiology, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Hyogo 663-8501, Japan.
Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine
|June 2, 2017
Summary
Pravastatin demonstrates significant radioprotective effects in the intestine and lung, reducing radiation-induced DNA damage. This finding suggests pravastatin may enhance radiotherapy
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Radiation Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Pravastatin, a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, shows potential in inflammatory conditions.
- Radiotherapy often causes significant side effects due to radiation-induced damage.
- Exploring radioprotective agents is crucial for improving cancer treatment outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the radioprotective potential of pravastatin in an experimental animal model.
- To assess the impact of pravastatin on radiation-induced intestinal and lung damage.
- To investigate pravastatin's effect on tumor response to radiotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Mice received oral pravastatin before ionizing radiation exposure.
- Intestinal crypt survival, apoptosis, and DNA damage (ATM, gamma-H2AX) were assessed.
- Tumor response to radiotherapy was evaluated in a mesothelioma xenograft model.
Main Results:
- Pravastatin significantly increased intestinal crypt epithelial cell survival, particularly in the ileum.
- A significant reduction in apoptosis was observed in the intestine and a trend in the lung.
- Pravastatin decreased radiation-induced DNA double-strand breaks in the intestine.
- No significant effect of pravastatin on xenograft tumor response to irradiation was noted.
Conclusions:
- Pravastatin exhibits significant radioprotective properties in the intestine and lung.
- Pravastatin mitigates radiation-induced DNA damage, suggesting a role in reducing side effects.
- Pravastatin may improve the therapeutic index of radiotherapy by protecting normal tissues.
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