The aim of this study was to evaluate the radioprotective effect of
turmeric extract (40 mg/kg
body weight) and
vitamin E (α-
tocopherol acetate, 400 IU/kg
body weight) supplementation on lipid peroxidation,
reduced glutathione and
antioxidant defense
enzymes in various organs like liver, kidney and salivary glands at 24 h in adult Swiss mice. (131)
Iodine exposure significantly increased lipid peroxidation in kidney and salivary glands in comparison to control animals. Pre supplementation with
turmeric extract for 15 days showed significant lowering of lipid peroxidation in kidney. On the other hand
vitamin E pre supplementation showed marked reduction in lipid peroxidation in salivary glands.
Reduced glutathione levels decreased significantly in liver after radiation exposure. However, pre supplementation with
turmeric extract and
vitamin E did not improve
glutathione levels in liver. In conclusion, we have observed differential radioprotective effect of
turmeric extract and
vitamin E in kidney and salivary glands. However,
Vitamin E seems to offer better radioprotection for salivary glands which is known to be the major site of cellular destruction after radioiodine
therapy in patients.