The impact of citicoline on brain injury in rats subjected to head irradiation

Hazard and risk associated with the use of radiotherapy play a crucial role in brain injury with interference via the neuroendocrine activity of the cancer survivors, and there is no effective preventive strategy. We conducted this study to assess the effect of citicoline in biosynthesis variants occurring in the cerebral cortex of rats in response to head γ-irradiation. Bio-analysis includes MDA, 8-OHdG, and NO as oxidation indicators; total antioxidant activity; the inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β, and amyloid-β 42 levels; the caspase-3 cell death marker; IGF-I; serum hormones including GH, ACTH, FSH, and LH; and the neurotransmitters acetylcholine, dopamine, and serotonin. We exposed animals to 10 Gy head gamma irradiation followed by citicoline treatment and sustained for 30 days. The animals were sacrificed at the 3rd and 30th day post-irradiation. Citicoline mechanism has been linked to potent radical reduced ability counteracting the oxidative stress-mediated inflammation and apoptosis. Citicoline treatment has normalized the altering recorded in serum hormones associated with a significant modulation in the levels of IGF-1/PI3K/AKT factors. Such improvements have been concomitant with regulated neurotransmitter levels. We could conclude that citicoline may safely be supplemented to avoid both short- and long-term damages to the neuroendocrine disturbances, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis induced by head irradiation.