The Effects of Vitamin A and Magnesium Sulfate on the Expression of Nox4 Following Irradiation in Bone Marrow Cells

Purpose: Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate (NADPH) oxidase is one of the probable sources of Reactive Oxygen Species generated by ionizing radiation. This study aimed to determine the expressions of Nox4 and radioprotective effects of magnesium sulfate and vitamin A following whole-body 2 Gy X-ray irradiation. Materials and Methods: In this research, 6-7 weeks old Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) male mice were kept in a standard cage with an appropriate temperature and 12 on 12 off light cycle. Three concentrations of vitamin A and magnesium sulfate were intraperitoneally injected into mice 2 hours before irradiation. The dose rate was 50 cGy/min at Source Skin Distance (SSD) = 100 cm and a field size of 10 × 10cm2. The mice were anesthetized and sacrificed by cervical dislocation 24 hours after irradiation. Then, the expression of Nox4 was assessed by Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Results: There were significant differences between the mean of gene expression in groups treated with vitamin A and magnesium sulfate compared to only radiation group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, it is likely that vitamin A and magnesium sulfate neutralize the harmful effects of free radicals due to their antioxidant properties.