Radioprotective effect of genistein on hematopoietic system of mice

Objective: To study the radioprotective effect of genistein on mice hematopoietic system. Methods: Adult male BALB/c mice were administered orally with genistein 24 h before exposure to a sublethal dose of 6.0 Gy gamma irradiation. The 30-day survival rate and some indices with relation to hematogenesis were examined after irradiation and pathologic changes of bone marrow were detected by hematotoxylin-eosin staining. Results: Bone marrow was damaged slightly, and the numbers of peripheral blood WBC, bone marrow nucleated cells and CFU-S were all significantly higher and restored more rapidly in genistein-treated groups than those in the corresponding irradiated controls (P<0.05). Meanwhile, genistein could also increase the 30-days survival rate and the average survival days of dead mice (P<0.05). All results were similar to those in diethylstilbestrol-treated groups. In addition, genistein could promote recovery of spleen/body weight ratio (P<0.05). Conclusion: These observations suggest that genistein has the capability of reducing the damage of hematopoietic system in irradiated mice and has significant protective effect on mice against radiation injury. (authors)