| Author(s) | A.A. Al-Hazzaa, O.H.M. El-Habit and R.S. Al-Meer |
| Affiliation | Zoology Department, College of Science, Women Students-Medical Studies & Science Sections, King Saud University, P.O. Box 22452, Riyadh 11495, Saudi Arabia |
| Title | Evaluation of the Protective Role of Vitamin B12 on Gamma Radiation Induced Cytotoxicity in Mice |
| Source | Journal of King Saud University. Science. Volume 19, No 2. (2007/1427) |
| Abstract | This work was carried out to study the protective role of vitamin B12 on the induced cytotoxicity of ionizing radiation as assessed by cytogenetic technique. Vitamin B12 (Vit.B12) was injected intramuscularly (i.m.) at a dose of 0.8 mg/kg body weight, 1 hr prior to the exposure of whole body to single dose (2 Gy) gamma irradiation in addition to 2 Gy challenged dose, assessed at 6, 24 and 72 hrs. The frequency of micronuclei (MN) of polychromatic erythrocytes (PCEs), normochromatic erythrocytes (NCEs), the ratio of PCEs/NCEs and mitotic index (MI) of bone marrow cells were evaluated. The results obtained revealed that the administration of Vit.B12 pre-irradiation resulted in a significant inhibition in the frequency of radiation induced MN, as well as the ratio of PCEs/NCEs and MI of bone marrow cells. The results also indicated that the dose used of Vit.B12 plays a protective role when administered prior to irradiation and assessed at a different times. The best effect on MI was most apparent at 6 and 72 hrs, whereas a 3-fold decrease in the % of MNPCEs was obtained at 72 hrs assay time. It could be concluded that Vit.B12 may exert a vital protective role against gamma irradiation. Keywords: Vitamin B12, Irradiation, Micronuclei, Polychromatic erythrocytes, Normochromatic erythrocytes. |
