Quercetin Improved Biological Membrane Integrity and Decreased Protein Oxidation as Induced in Rats by Ionizing Radiation Exposure

After radiation exposure at certain levels, harmful changes in the living cell metabolic activities may occur. These changes include oxidation of lipid and protein as well as membrane permeability disorders. Gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) is recently believed to be important in protecting against oxidative stress and is considered as good indicator of it. In the present study Spague Dawely rats (140-150 g) were exposed to whole body gamma irradiation (shot dose, 5 Gy), samples of blood and liver were taken 1 and 10 days post exposure. Quercetin (pentahydroxy flavone) presented in most vegetables, was administered orally (1.064 mmol/kg body wt.)up to 10 days before radiation exposure to evaluate its anti oxidative role. he data revealed serious effects of radiation exposure on the membrane integrity as reflected by increased serum potassium associated with decreased sodium levels. Oxidation of lipid and protein with antioxidant disorders were recorded after radiation exposure as reflected by increased contents of malondialdehyde, carbonyl and GGT activity. Quercetin administration before radiation exposure attenuated the harmful effects of irradiation in the most chosen parameters. The beneficial role of quercetin may be related to its ability in quenching free radicals and scavenging reactive oxygen species thus improving regeneration in the biological tissues