Tomato consumption protected against gamma radiation–induced alterations in the hippocampus and cerebellum of rats

Cancer causes great morbidity and mortality. Radiotherapy, one of the treatment modalities is associated with neurotoxicity; and oxidative damage has been reported to play an important role in the pathogenesis. Tomato pomace powder (TPP) may be a preventive agent by virtue of its known antioxidant property. The present study was carried out to investigate the possible protective role of TPP against radiation-induced alteration of the microanatomy of rat brain.Thirty rats were divided equally into five groups of six each: control; propylene glycol, TPP, gamma radiation (5 Gy); gamma radiation (5 Gy ) p lus TPP 50 mg/ kg . All administration was oral by gastric gavage given for 24 days except radiation which was administered as a single dose on day 25. Behaviouraltests th were conducted on the 26 day after which rats were euthanized. Blood parameters and brain tissue were examined with regard to microanatomical parameters. Data were analyzed using ANOVA with statistical significance set at p<0.05.Gamma radiation induced a significant (p<0.05) reduction in lymphocytes but an increase in eosinophils. Neurobehavioural results showed that radiation caused a reduction in line crossing, rearing and forelimb grip. Microscopically, radiation induced histological alterations in the cerebellum, dentate gyrus and cornu ammonis 3. Co-treatment of radiation with TPP reduced the effect of radiation on the histological, haematological and, neurobehavioural alterations.In conclusion, Lycopersicon esculentum as tomato pomace powder demonstrated neuro protective effects against radiation-induced haematological,neurobehavioural alterations as well as alteration of microanatomy of rat cerebellum, dentate gyrus and cornu ammonis 3 of rat brain.Keywords: Gamma radiation, Lycopersicon esculentum, neuro protection, cerebellum, hippocampu