Zinc Sulfate and/or Growth Hormone Administration for the Prevention of Radiation-Induced Dermatitis: a Placebo-Controlled Rat Model Study


KANDAZ M., Ertekin M. V., Karslioglu I., Erdogan F., SEZEN O., Gepdiremen A., ...More

BIOLOGICAL TRACE ELEMENT RESEARCH, vol.179, no.1, pp.110-116, 2017 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 179 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2017
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s12011-017-0952-z
  • Journal Name: BIOLOGICAL TRACE ELEMENT RESEARCH
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.110-116
  • Karadeniz Technical University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Growth hormone (GH) and zinc (Zn) were evaluated for their potential to prevent radiation injury using a rat model of radiation-induced skin injury. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups: a control group not receiving Zn, GH, or irradiation: a radiation (RT) group receiving a single 30 Gy dose of gamma irradiation to the right hind legs; a radiation + GH group (RT + GH) receiving a single 30 Gy dose of gamma irradiation plus the subcutaneous administration of 0.01 IU kg d(-1) GH; a radiation + Zn group (RT + Zn) receiving a single 30 Gy dose plus 5 mg kg d(-1) Zn po; and a radiation + GH + Zn group (RT + GH + Zn) group receiving a single 30 Gy dose plus subcutaneous 0.01 IU kg d(-1) GH and 5 mg kg d(-1) Zn po. Acute skin reactions were assessed every 3 days by two radiation oncologists grouping. Light microscopic findings were assessed blindly by two pathologists. Groups receiving irradiation were associated with dermatitis as compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The severity of radiodermatitis in the RT + GH, RT + Zn, and RT + GH + Zn groups was significantly lower than that in the RT group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, radiodermatitis was observed earlier in the RT group than in the other treatment groups (P < 0.05). GH and Zn effectively prevented epidermal atrophy, dermal degeneration, and hair follicle atrophy. The highest level of protection against radiation dermatitis was observed in the combination group.