The radioprotective effect of a wheat germ diet on rat myocardial tissue exposed to X-rays

• Main Authors: Bayona-Caballero,María, Alayo-Zavaleta,Judith, Lombardi-Pérez,César, Marín-Tello,Carmen
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Universidad de Granada 2019
• Subjects: Triticum; X-Rays; heart; Rattus rattus
• Online Access: https://scielo.isciii.es/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S2340-98942019000600213

Abstract Introduction: To determine whether a diet of wheat (Triticum aestivum) germ has a radioprotective effect on albino rat (Rattus rattus var. Albinus) myocardial tissue. Method: Rats between 200 and 250 g were divided into 4 groups of 6 each: Two groups were fed either a wheat diet or regular diet 16 days before and after a single exposure to 18 mSv of X-rays. The other two groups were fed the same diets but not exposed to X-rays. The animals were sacrificed, and heart tissue was submitted to histopathological study. Results: Rats fed a standard diet and exposed to X-rays presented marked hyperemia of blood vessels, necrosis, presence of connective tissue fibrocytes, loss of muscle architecture and radial arrangement. Exposed rats fed a wheat diet presented with only light necrosis and the presence of fibrocytes. Rats not exposed to X-rays had healthy myocardia. Conclusions: Wheat germ diet may have a radioprotective effect on rat myocardium.