Soy isoflavones protect against gamma radiation-induced kidney and liver damage in male albino rats

Abstract

We determined whether soy isoflavones could enhance the recovery of adult rats from the harmful effects of gamma radiation on the liver and kidney. Male Albino rats were subjected to whole-body gamma irradiation and fed a balanced diet supplemented with various amounts of soy isoflavones. Radiation exposure negatively affected liver and kidney functional markers, including albumin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatinine, urea, sodium, potassium, and total protein (TP) as well as markers of oxidative stress (MDA, GSH, and PC) and inflammation (TNF-α and NF-κB) compared with nonirradiated balanced diet-fed rats. Isoflavone-supplemented standard diets improved all of the markers in irradiated rats in a dose-dependent manner compared with standard diet-only fed irradiated rats. These findings highlight the protective effects of isoflavones against radiation-induced liver and kidney damage, possibly by blunting oxidative stress and inflammation.