Abstract
Purpose: The objective of this work was to compare the effect of a bradykinin potentiating (BPF) isolated from venom of Egyptian scorpion Androctonus amoreuxi as a natural angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) with losartan (LOS), a chemical angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), in the modulation of radiation-induced damage.
Material and methods: Rats were grouped into: (i) Control: untreated; (ii) + CBPF: Received intraperitoneally (i.p.) BPF 1 μg/g body weight (b.w.) (twice/week) during 3 weeks; (iii) + CLOS: Received i.p. LOS 5 μg/g b.w. (twice/week) during 3 weeks; (iv) R: Irradiated at 4 Gy; (v) R + BPF and (vi) R + LOS: Received BPF or LOS post-irradiation for 3 weeks.
Results: BPF or LOS treatment induced a significant drop of sodium and uric acid. Irradiation induced a significant elevation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP) associated with a significant decrease of glutathione (GSH) content in the kidney. Serum aldosterone, sodium, urea and creatinine levels showed a significant increase while a significant drop was recorded for haematological values, calcium and uric acid levels. Treatment of irradiated animals with BPF or LOS significantly improved radiation-induced changes.
Conclusion: It could be concluded that the use of BPF as a natural product is comparable to the chemical compound LOS.
Acknowledgements
This research was financially supported by National Centre for Radiation Research and Technology (NCRRT).
Declaration of interest
The authors report no declaration of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.