Reparative effects of sodium alginate (Alloid G) on radiation stomatitis

Discontinuation or alteration of the schedule of radiation therapy is often necessary in patients with tumors of the parotid gland and pharynx because of the development of stomatitis. Alloid G (Sodium alginate; AL-G) is an agent with a promotive effect on healing on inflammation of the gastric and esophageal mucosa. In this study, we orally administered the agent in irradiated mice to examine its healing effect against radiation stomatitis. ICR mice (5-week-old males) were subjected to γ-irradiation at 17-32 Gy, and followed by oral administration with either AL-G, polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), or water twice daily for 20 days. The effects of the treatments on radiation stomatitis were examined according to the survival of the animals and histological findings in the oral mucosa. After irradiation at 32 Gy, it was found that the epidermal basal layer was present in the AL-G group. In both PVP and water-treated groups, however, it was not found. The dose modification factor (DMF) of 1.12 was calculated from oral radiation death of LD50/20 and radiation dose with or without AL-G. These results suggest that AL-G probably have a pharmacologically reparative effect on radiation injury of the oral mucosa, in addition to the physical epidermal protective effect due to its viscosity such as that of PVP. (author)