Mitigation of radiation-induced pneumonitis in mice using alpha-tocopherol and nano-micelle curcumin

Pneumonitis is one of the most common consequences of exposure to high doses of ionizing radiation in lung tissue. It is associated with acute inflammation and infiltration of inflammatory cells, leading to massive release of several inflammatory mediators. Some studies have reported a risk for pneumonitis following exposure to a radiation disaster. In this experimental study, we aimed to evaluate possible mitigatory effect of alpha-tocopherol and nano-micelle curcumin on radiation pneumonitis in mice. 30 male mice were divided into 6 groups, including control, alpha-tocopherol or nano-micelle curcumin treatment, radiation, and radiation plus alpha-tocopherol or nano-micelle curcumin. Treatments were initially performed 1 day after irradiation and continued for 1 month. Irradiation was performed with 18 Gy using a cobalt-60 gamma rays source. After 8 weeks, mice were sacrificed and the lung tissues were removed for histopathological evaluation. Our study showed that pneumonitis was associated with was able to reduce inflammatory cells infiltration, edema, vascular and alveolar damage. Treatment with alpha-tocopherol could attenuated inflammation markers, while it could not mitigate vascular and alveolar damage. By contrast, nano-micelle curcumin was able to reduce inflammation, and vascular and alveolar damage. This study revealed that treatment with alpha-tocopherol or nano-micelle curcumin can mitigate radiation-induced pneumonitis in mice. These findings may pave the way to mitigation of radiation toxicity after a radiation disaster such as nuclear explosion or radiological events.