Uncovering the potential role of nicotinamide as a radioprotective agent in rats

Several studies have dealt with the use of different treatments as a radio-protective agent. Since nicotinamide (NAM) greatly inhibits oxidative damage caused by reactive oxygen species, it was important to investigate its properties as a radio-protective agent.

The current study seeks to find out whether NAM has a protective impact against the hazards effects of gamma irradiation in rats.

Twenty-seven rats were equally divided into three groups. "G1" was fed with a regular rat diet and water as control, "G2″ as positive control (model) received gamma radiation, meanwhile "G3" rats received a standard rat diet and water mixed with NAM at dose 400mg/1 L. After 7 weeks, both "G2' and "G3" received one dose of 6 grey gamma, 24 h following the irradiation, rats were anaesthetized. Blood and tissues were collected and assayed for molecular, biochemical, and histological studies. The blood was examined for Interleukin 6 (IL6), C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, blood count, liver, and kidney functions. Moreover, malondialdehyde (MDA), Reduced Glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were assessed in the liver in the considered groups. Additionally, Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α), and Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-9) gene expression were evaluated in the liver.

NAM protected "G3" against the harmful impacts of gamma irradiation by downregulating the expression of both TNF-α and MMP-9. Moreover, the results showed that NAM exhibited antioxidant activity, reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) while increasing SOD and GSH activities; meanwhile, a significant reduction in CRP and IL6 was recorded. Additionally, there is a significant reduction in hematological, liver, kidney and histological damage compared to "G2".

NAM is getting attention for its crucial and cost-effective role in preventing the adverse effects of gamma irradiation, this might encourage the use of NAM as a radio-protective agent on a potentially large scale.