ISSN (Online) : 2277-4572
Author(s): Mahesh Bekal*, Suchetha Kumari
The whole brain irradiation causes injury to the nervous system at various levels. Omega-3 Poly Unsaturated Fatty Acids are very much essential for the growth and development of nervous system. Dietary supplementation of these nutrients will promote the development of injured neuronal cells. Therefore this study was undertaken to establish the role of Omega-3 Poly Unsaturated Fatty Acids on oxidative stress in the brain of irradiated mice. The effect of Electron Beam Radiation (EBR) on total brain lipid concentration, Lipid Peroxidation and total antioxidants level were investigated in male Swiss albino mice. The study groups were subjected to a sub-lethal dose of EBR and also the Flax seed extract and Fish oil were given orally to the irradiated mice. In the present study, exposure to EB resulted in a significant increase (p < 0.001) of malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Elevated LPO by radiation exposure could be attributed to formation of free radicals and involvement of free radical induced oxidative cell damage. The observation of total lipids in brain show a significant decrease in concentration in the irradiated groups, the differences in the variables follow the similar patterns as of that the MDA levels. The oral supplementation of natural PUFA sources like Flax seed and Fish oil has led to the increase in total antioxidant levels when compared to the radiation control groups. This suggests that the PUFA supplementation in irradiated group helps in recovery of total lipid concentration by decreasing the lipid per oxidation in the brain. This study suggests that the dietary intake of PUFAs may help in prevention and recovery of the oxidative stress caused by radiation in brain.
