Some genetic profiles in liver of Ehrlich ascites tumor-bearing mice under the stress of irradiation

Radiation therapy aims to kill cancer cells with a minimum of normal tissue exposure. In an attempt to define the molecular and biochemical changes associated with exposure to radiotherapy, the objective of the present study is to explore the effect of gamma (γ) irradiation on nuclear factor, erythroid 2 (NFE2), P53, stromelysin-1 (matrix metalloproteinase-3) (MMP3), BCL-2 and BAX genes expression in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) bearing mice. Various biochemical parameters such as liver function, H2O2, B% and T% lymphocytes, total antioxidants and MDA were investigated to evaluate their usefulness as possible during cancer treatment with radiotherapy. Rats were irradiated with a single whole body Cobalt 60-gamma radiation dose of 0.5 Gy. Sixty-four female mice, weighing 20–25 g were used in this study and divided into three main groups. The first group served as control group, while the second were injected intraperitoneally with EAC then was subdivided into two groups, II A and II B. The latter one (group II B), the animals were exposed to a single dose of 0.5 Gy whole body γ irradiation. The third main group, were irradiated with a single dose of 0.5 Gy whole body γ irradiation. Blood and liver tissue samples were collected at 4, 24 and 96 h post-irradiation. The gene expression levels in the livers of animals from each exposure group were compared individually with that of pooled sham-irradiated animals. MMP3 and NFE2 were overexpressed in liver samples of EAC group post 4, 24 and 96 h of γ irradiation (IIB). On the other hand, P53 and BCL-2 genes were downregulated by using RT-PCR analysis post 4, 24 and 96 h of γ irradiation (IIB). As well as, liver function and MDA were increased significantly in the γ - irradiation group (3rd group) when compared to control mice (1st group). Gamma irradiation 3rd group revealed increase in the level of T% and B% lymphocytes. According to the obtained results, both γ rays and time period alter the genes expression and most of the investigated biochemical parameters.