Abstract
BACKGROUND: Following any injury in radiation accidents, such as Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS), medical interventions are recommended based on radiation dose and physiological response. Clinical management encompasses blood transfusion, hematopoietic cytokines, and stem-cell transplantation. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the effect of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (AdSCs) together with vitamin C on the survival of rats with ARS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this experimental study, 45 rats were randomly divided into 3 equal groups of animals administered with a single dose of oral 400 mg/kg vitamin C; those injected intravenously with 1.5×10(5) AdSCs; and rats transplanted intravenously with 1.5×10(5) AdSCs together with a single oral dose of 400 mg/kg vitamin C. All rats were already irradiated with 10 Gy (dose rate 0.286 Gy/ min) (60)CO, for 35 minutes with a field size of 35 cm × 35 cm for all body areas. RESULTS: A significant increase in survival rate was visible one month after γ irradiation in 73.3% of animals received AdSCs+vitamin C, 60% of rats injected with just AdSCs, and 13.3% of the group received just vitamin C. CONCLUSION: Our findings revealed significant efficacy of a combined approach involving AdSC transplantation and vitamin C to enhance the survival rate following lethal irradiation. This combination could offer a potential avenue for addressing the alleviation of tissue damage caused by chemotherapy and toxic drugs. We recommend the administration of AdSCs together with vitamin C as an effective and prompt treatment option for irradiation injuries.