histopathological evaluation of the effectiveness of glycyrrhizic acid as a radioprotector against the development of radiation-induced lung fibrosis

Background: radiotherapy of the thorax often causes lung inflammation leading to fibrosis. objectives: the aim of this study was to investigate whether the use of glycyrrhizic acid (gla) could improve the development of lung fibrosis in irradiated animals. materials and methods: wistar rats were divided into four groups. group a rats received thoracic irradiation. rats in group b received gla and irradiation. group c received gla and no irradiation. group d received no gla and irradiation. gla was administered at a dose of 4 mg/kg body weight using an intraperitoneal injection one hour before thoracic irradiation. radiation therapy was delivered on a cobalt-60 unit using a single fraction of 16 gy. the animals were sacrificed at 32 weeks following thoracic irradiation. the lungs were dissected and blind histopathological evaluation was performed. results: histopathologically, a decrease (statistically not significant) in the thickening of alveolar or bronchial wall, formation of fibrous bands, and superimposed collagen were noted in the animals in group b as compared to the animals in group a. conclusion: in this experimental study, administration of gla one hour before thoracic irradiation may be a protective agent against radiation-induced fibrosis in animals and this model could be used in future studies.