Curcumin protects against radiation-induced acute and chronic cutaneous toxicity in mice and decreases mRNA expression of inflammatory and fibrogenic cytokines

Journal Article · Sat Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 2006 · International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrobp.2006.03.025· OSTI ID:20842924

Okunieff, Paul ^[1]; Jianhua, Xu ^[2]; Dongping, Hu ^[1]; Weimin, Liu ^[1]; Lurong, Zhang ^[1]; Morrow, Gary ^[1]; Pentland, Alice ^[3]; Ryan, Julie L ^[1]; Ding, Ivan M.D. ^[1]

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1. Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY (United States)
2. Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou (China)
3. Department of Dermatology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY (United States)

Purpose: To determine whether curcumin ameliorates acute and chronic radiation skin toxicity and to examine the expression of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1, IL-6, IL-18, IL-1Ra, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-{alpha}, and lymphotoxin-{beta}) or fibrogenic cytokines (transforming growth factor [TGF]-{beta}) during the same acute and chronic phases. Methods and Materials: Curcumin was given intragastrically or intraperitoneally to C3H/HeN mice either: 5 days before radiation; 5 days after radiation; or both 5 days before and 5 days after radiation. The cutaneous damage was assessed at 15-21 days (acute) and 90 days (chronic) after a single 50 Gy radiation dose was given to the hind leg. Skin and muscle tissues were collected for measurement of cytokine mRNA. Results: Curcumin, administered before or after radiation, markedly reduced acute and chronic skin toxicity in mice (p < 0.05). Additionally, curcumin significantly decreased mRNA expression of early responding cytokines (IL-1 IL-6, IL-18, TNF-{alpha}, and lymphotoxin-{beta}) and the fibrogenic cytokine, TGF-{beta}, in cutaneous tissues at 21 days postradiation. Conclusion: Curcumin has a protective effect on radiation-induced cutaneous damage in mice, which is characterized by a downregulation of both inflammatory and fibrogenic cytokines in irradiated skin and muscle, particularly in the early phase after radiation. These results may provide the molecular basis for the application of curcumin in clinical radiation therapy.

• OSTI ID: 20842924
• Journal Information: International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics, Journal Name: International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 65; ISSN IOBPD3; ISSN 0360-3016
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
CHICKENS
CURCUMIN
DAMAGE
FIBROSIS
INFLAMMATION
LEGS
LYMPHOKINES
MICE
MUSCLES
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION PROTECTION
RADIOTHERAPY
SKIN
TOXICITY