Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore the potential of DFO an iron chelator drug in prevention of irradiation-induced oral mucositis and to monitor the immune-expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in irradiated and radioprotected rats.
Materials & Methods: Thirty male Albino rats were divided into three groups (n =10): Control group (GC): received no treatment, Irradiated group (GI): received a single radiation dose of 10 Gray on the head and neck region, Deferoxamine group (GD): rats received intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg of Deferoxamine for three days before being irradiated like in GI. Rats were sacrificed the 12th day post-irradiation. Their tongues were dissected and processed for H&E staining and immunohistochemical detection of VEGF, the angiogenic marker.
Results: Examination of GI revealed an apparent reduction in the thickness of the epithelium and some ulcerative areas. In the lamina propria, dilated engorged blood vessels and degenerative areas were detected. GI showed VEGF immunopositivity in the epithelial layers as well as in the endothelial and connective tissue cells of the lamina propria. VEGF immunopositivity was statistically reduced when compared with GC. GD showed an apparent increase in the epithelium thickness with restoration of epithelial integrity and minimal degeneration of the lamina propria. GD presented marked VEGF immunostaining with a statistically significant increase compared to GI.
Conclusions: The findings of this study showed that Deferoxamine exerted a protective effect against radiation-induced oral mucositis with possible association of VEGF overexpression in reduction of mucositis histopathological damage.