Quercetin protects radiation-induced DNA damage and apoptosis in kidney and bladder tissues of rats

Ionizing radiation (IR) can induce cell damage and cell death through the reactive oxygen species generated by radiolytic hydrolysis. The present study was aimed to determine the possible protective effects of quercetin, a well-known antioxidant agent, against IR-induced bladder and kidney damage in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to 8-Gy whole-abdominal IR and given either vehicle or quercetin (20 mg/kg, ip). Rats were decapitated at either 36 h or 10 days following IR, where quercetin or vehicle injections were repeated once daily, and kidney and bladder samples were obtained for the determination of myeloperoxidase and caspase-3 activities, an index of tissue neutrophil infiltration and apoptosis, respectively. Radiation-induced inflammation was evaluated through tissue cytokine, TNF-alpha levels. In order to examine oxidative DNA damage, tissue 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels were measured. All tissues were also examined microscopically. In the saline-treated irradiation groups, myeloperoxidase and caspase-3 activities, 8-OHdG and TNF-alpha levels were found to be increased in both tissues (p < 0.05). In the quercetin-treated-IR groups, all these oxidant responses were prevented significantly (p < 0.05). The present data demonstrate that quercetin, through its free radical scavenging and antioxidant properties, attenuates irradiation-induced oxidative organ injury, suggesting that quercetin may have a potential benefit in radiotherapy by minimizing the adverse effects and will improve patient care.