The therapeutic efficacy of N-acetylcysteine on γ-radiation-induced intestinal epithelial cell damage in rats

Objective To investigate the protective effect of N-acetylcysteine on γ-radiation-induced intestinal epithelial cell(IEC-6) damage in rats.Methods IEC-6 cells were divided into three groups: normal group(Group N),radiation group(6 Gy radiation,Group R) and NAC treatment group(6 Gy radiation+ NAC(10 mg/mL),Group E).Reactive oxygen species(ROS) in cultured IEC-6 cells was measured using Fluorescent Probe 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescin diacetate(DCFH-DA).Malonaldehyde(MDA) and superoxide dismutase(SOD) assays were also performed at 24hrs post-radiation.Cell apoptosis was determined by annexin V-APC and propidium iodide(PI) stain using the Apoptosis Detection Kit.Furthermore,the cells were stained with Hoechst 33342(apoptotic cell) to visualize the nuclei.Alamarblue cell viability reagent was used to determine the cell viability exposure to γ-radiation.Results NAC reduced the γ-radiation-induced over-production of ROS and MDA,and maintained the SOD activity in IEC-6 cells.In addition,the radiation-induced apoptosis and cell viability reduction was alleviated by NAC treatment.Conclusion NAC could significantly reduce γ-radiation-induced IEC-6 damage.