EFFECT OF ALPHA-TOCOPHEROL AND L-CARNITINE ON SALIVARY GLANDS OF RATS EXPOSED TO RADIOTHERAPY

In our study, we investigated whether Alpha- tocopherol and L- carnitine used combinely with radiotherapy in experiment animals become effective against histopathologic changes in salivary gland due to radiotherapy. In this study, 25 healthy rats were used. These rats were divided into 5 groups: control group (Group I), radiotherapy group (Group II), Alpha-tocopherol group (Group III), radiotherapy and L-carnitine group (Group IV), Alpha-tocopherol together with radiotherapy and L-carnitine combination group (Group V). Alpha-tocopherol (10mg/kg/day, intramuscularly) and L-carnitine (100mg/kg/day, intraperitoneally) were used for five days. In the end of the second day, 15cGy radiation was applied to the Group II, III, IV and V in one time. On the tenth day after radiotherapy, all the animals in five groups salivary glands were extracted. In histopathologic examination, it was seen that the use of alpha-tocopherol and L-carnitine separately or combinely reduced degenerative effects of radiotherapy significantly.