Radioprotective Effects of Chitosan-Gum Tragacanth Hydrogel Containing Silver Nanoparticles on Radiation-Induced Cardiac Injury in Male Rats

Background: Radiotherapy is a key treatment for many cancers; however, it can cause irreversible damage to radiosensitive organs, particularly the heart. Ionizing radiation induces oxidative stress, which contributes to cellular injury and subsequently leads to inflammation, fibrosis, apoptosis, and necrosis. Therefore, hydrogels containing bioactive components such as chitosan, Gum tragacanth, and silver nanoparticles may provide radioprotective effects. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a radioprotective hydrogel based on chitosan-Gum tragacanth containing silver nanoparticles against radiation-induced cardiac injury in male rats. Methods: Thirty-five male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = ۷). The control group received no treatment. Radiation groups received ۱۸ Gy of ionizing radiation over ۲۰ minutes. Treatment groups received injections of (۱) chitosan-Gum tragacanth hydrogel containing silver nanoparticles, (۲) chitosan-Gum tragacanth hydrogel without silver nanoparticles, or (۳) silver nanoparticles alone. Injections were administered for two weeks starting ۲۴ hours after irradiation. After ۵۰ days, the animals were sacrificed to assess antioxidant enzyme levels (superoxide dismutase [SOD] and glutathione peroxidase [GPX]), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and histopathological damage in cardiac tissue. Results: Chitosan-Gum tragacanth hydrogel containing silver nanoparticles significantly increased SOD (p < ۰.۰۰۱) and GPX (p < ۰.۰۰۱) levels and significantly decreased MDA (p < ۰.۰۰۱). Histological evaluation of heart tissue using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson's trichrome staining showed improved cardiomyocyte and muscle fiber architecture, reduced abnormalities in nuclear orientation (p < ۰.۰۰۰۱), and decreased collagen deposition (p < ۰.۰۰۱) in the treatment group compared with the radiation-only group. Conclusion: Overall, chitosan-Gum tragacanth hydrogel containing silver nanoparticles exhibits strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and can effectively reduce radiation-induced cardiac tissue injury in male rats.

کلیدواژه ها:

Radiation ، Chitosan ، Gum tragacanth ، Cardiac injury ، Hydrogel ، Silver nanoparticles