# Modulation of VEGF and IL-2 in radiation-induced brain injury: neuroprotective effects of melatonin and ascorbic acid in rats

## TL;DR

This study shows that melatonin and ascorbic acid can protect rat brains from radiation damage by preserving blood vessels and balancing immune responses.

## Contribution

The study reveals that melatonin and ascorbic acid reduce radiation-induced brain injury by modulating VEGF and IL-2, without synergistic benefit from combining them.

## Key findings

- Radiation increased vasocongestion and neuronal damage while suppressing VEGF and elevating IL-2.
- Melatonin and ascorbic acid reduced injury and balanced VEGF and IL-2 levels compared to radiation alone.
- Combining melatonin and ascorbic acid did not provide additional benefits over using either alone.

## Abstract

This study investigates the neuroprotective effects of melatonin and ascorbic acid, alone and in combination, on radiation-induced brain injury, specifically focusing on vascular and immunological modulations.

Thirty-three male Wistar-Albino rats were assigned to five groups: Control (G1), Radiotherapy (RT) only (single dose 20 Gy) (G2), RT + Melatonin (20 mg/kg) (G3), RT + vitamin C (100 mg/kg) (G4), and RT + Melatonin + Vitamin C (G5). The treatments were administered intraperitoneally the day after RT. Brain tissues were evaluated 28 days post-irradiation for histopathological neural damage, vasocongestion, and immunohistochemical expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin-2 (IL-2).

High-dose RT significantly increased vasocongestion and neuronal damage while suppressing VEGF expression and elevating IL-2 levels (p < 0.001). Both melatonin and ascorbic acid effectively reduced histopathological injury, maintained VEGF levels, and balanced IL-2 expression compared to the RT-only group (p < 0.05). However, combining both agents provided no significant synergistic advantage over monotherapies. Notably, single-fraction high-dose RT resulted in a marked suppression of VEGF expression, suggesting an impaired vascular synthetic capacity rather than a compensatory angiogenic response.

Melatonin and ascorbic acid provide substantial neuroprotection against radiation-induced brain injury by preserving vascular integrity and modulating local immune responses. These antioxidants represent potential therapeutic strategies for minimizing RT-induced neurotoxicity.