In the current study,120 rats were divided into six equal groups, including;
Group 1: neither irradiated nor treated with ß- carotene (control group), Group 2: given ß- carotene in a concentration of 8 mg/kg body weight/day for a period of 14 consecutive days, Group 3: irradiated through whole body exposure to γ rays (6.5 Gy) single dose, Group 4: given ß- carotene as group 2 then irradiated as group 3, Group 5: exposed to γ rays as group 3then given ß- carotene as group 2, Group 6: was the same as group 4 but was additionally given ß- carotene for another 14 consecutive days after irradiation. The obtained results revealed that malondialdehyde (MDA), triglycerides, total Cholesterol, and low density lipoproteins (LDL) concentrations were significantly increased. While, reduced glutathione (GSH) and high density lipoproteins (HDL) concentrations as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were significantly decreased in γ irradiated rats and all β- carotene treated groups(4, 5&6) in comparison with control levels. The above mentioned elevated and reduced parameters were significantly better in all β- carotene treated groups (4, 5&6) than γ irradiated one indicating the ameliorative effect of β- carotene against γ rays-induced oxidative stress