Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Science - Department of Biochemistry

This study was designed to evaluate the hazardous effects of Þ-irradiation induced oxidative stress and to investigate the role of fenugreek seeds and jerusalem artichoke tubers treatments as radio-protectors in rats followed exposure to a single dose whole body gamma irradiation of 5.0 Gy. Rats irradiated at 5 Gy delivered as single dose produced a significant increase in the activity of the liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP and GGT), kidney function tests (urea and creatinine), lipid profile (cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL) and MDA levels. Meanwhile, gamma irradiated rats pretreated with fenugreek and jerusalem treatments decreased significantly these parameters as compared to gamma irradiated rats. Rats irradiated at 5 Gy produced a significant decrease in albumin, total protein, globulin, HDL, CAT, SOD and GSH levels as compared to normal control rats. However, Þ-irradiated rats pretreated with fenugreek and jerusalem treatments increased significantly these parameters as compared to gamma irradiated rats (5 Gy). Also, Þ-irradiated rats pre-treated with fenugreek and jerusalem showed hepato-renal normalization as compared to gamma irradiated rats (5 Gy). It could be concluded that fenugreek seeds and jerusalem artichoke tubers treatments would protect from oxidative damage and tissue injury induced by Þ-irradiation. Thus, supplementation with fenugreek seeds and jerusalem artichoke tubers may have a benefit for safe application of Þ- irradiation technology in medicine and industry due to their easy use and low cost

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