The Possible Protective Role of Bone Marrow Transplantation against Alternations Induced by Gamma Radiations on Heart of Pregnant Albino Rats and Their Fetuses

Abstract

Aim of the work: It is well recognized that radiation can be carcinogenic. Bone marrow cells (BM) suppress immune cell responses and have beneficial effects in various inflammatory-related immune disorders. The present study is designed to evaluate the possible role of bone marrow to restore certain histopathological and histochemical changes in the cardiac tissues of pregnant rats which exposed to gamma rays.

Material and Methods: The experimental animals were divided into five groups:

1- Group of control pregnant rats.

2- Group I&II of pregnant rats irradiated with γ-rays on days 7 or 14 of gestation.

4- Group III& IV of pregnant rats irradiated with γ-rays on day 7 or 14 of gestation and treated with BM one hour post-exposure. All the previous groups were sacrificed on day 20 of gestation (1 day prior delivery).

Results: Exposure of pregnant rats to γ-rays on day 7 or day 14 of gestation showed many pathological and histochemical changes in the cardiac tissues. These changes were more pronounced on day 14 of gestation. Bone marrow transplantation post-irradiation improved cardiac muscle architecture. On the other hand,  fetal cardiac tissue was more sensitive to γ-rays than those of their mothers especially on day 14 of gestation. Bone marrow transplantation post-irradiation improved the tissue architecture which restored its normal histological and histochemical pictures.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that bone marrow transplantation post-irradiation showed somewhat a considerable ability to overcome radiation injuries or damages from the histological and histochemical point of view on day 7 or 14 of gestation.