Kandaz, MustafaErtekin, Mustafa VecdiKarslıoğlu, İhsanErdoğan, FazlıSezen, OrhanGepdiremen, Akçahan2021-06-232021-06-2320170163-49841559-0720https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-017-0952-zhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12491/9170Growth hormone (GH) and zinc (Zn) were evaluated for their potential to prevent radiation injury using a rat model of radiation-induced skin injury. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups: a control group not receiving Zn, GH, or irradiation: a radiation (RT) group receiving a single 30 Gy dose of gamma irradiation to the right hind legs; a radiation + GH group (RT + GH) receiving a single 30 Gy dose of gamma irradiation plus the subcutaneous administration of 0.01 IU kg d(-1) GH; a radiation + Zn group (RT + Zn) receiving a single 30 Gy dose plus 5 mg kg d(-1) Zn po; and a radiation + GH + Zn group (RT + GH + Zn) group receiving a single 30 Gy dose plus subcutaneous 0.01 IU kg d(-1) GH and 5 mg kg d(-1) Zn po. Acute skin reactions were assessed every 3 days by two radiation oncologists grouping. Light microscopic findings were assessed blindly by two pathologists. Groups receiving irradiation were associated with dermatitis as compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The severity of radiodermatitis in the RT + GH, RT + Zn, and RT + GH + Zn groups was significantly lower than that in the RT group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, radiodermatitis was observed earlier in the RT group than in the other treatment groups (P < 0.05). GH and Zn effectively prevented epidermal atrophy, dermal degeneration, and hair follicle atrophy. The highest level of protection against radiation dermatitis was observed in the combination group.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessDermatitisRadiotherapyZinc SulfateGrowth HormonePreventionRatArticle10.1007/s12011-017-0952-z1791110116281685332-s2.0-85011715882Q1WOS:000407431600015Q3