Background: Acrylamide is a well-known industrial toxic substance that produces neurotoxicity, which is characterized by neuronal degeneration. In addition, radiation derived-brain injury is a prominent side effects of brain radiotherapy. On the other hand, chrysin (CN) is a natural biologically active compound with antioxidant and neuroprotective.
Objective: Determination of the neuroprotective effects of chrysin on brain tissue of adult male albino rats exposed to acrylamide toxicity and radiation.
Material and Methods: Seventy adult male albino rats of local strain weighed 140-160 g were used in this study. They were divided into six equal groups: Control group (A), acrylamide group (B), radiation group (C), acrylamide and radiation group (D), acrylamide and chrysin group (E), radiation and chrysin group (F) and acrylamide, radiation and chrysin group (G). By the end of the experimental period (4 weeks), sera were separated for measurement of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level. Brain of each rat was dissected out carefully for measurement of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) content.
Results: Chrysin increased GSH and decreased both MDA and TNF-α levels in ACR-treated rats. Moreover, it decreased the level of GABA, while it increased the BDNF level. On the other hand, adding radiation to ACR did not reduce the protective effects of chrysin regarding to all parameters except BDNF.
Conclusion: Chrysin reverses the oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory status in rats exposed to both acrylamide and radiation. Therefore, it might be used as a supportive treatment for persons frequently exposed to these environmental hazards.