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Vitamin C Mitigates Radiation-Induced Parotid Glands Inflammation by Downregulating TNF-α and IL-1β Expression in Guinea Pigs

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article(s)

Authors

1 Department of Anatomy, Dow International Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences

2 Dr. Punjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, University of Karachi, Pakistan

3 Department of Pathology, Dow International Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan

4 Department of Biotechnology, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan

5 : Dow Institute of Medical Technology, Dow University of Health Sciences

6 Department of Biochemistry, Dow International Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences,

7 Department of Biochemistry, Dow International Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences

8 Department of Anatomy, Dow Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan

9 Department of Anatomy, Dow Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences

10 Dow University of Health Sciences

10.30476/mejc.2026.105034.2219

Abstract

Background: Radiation therapy damages surrounding tissues, with parotid glands being highly vulnerable in the head and neck region. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Vitamin C may reduce radiation-induced injury. This study therefore investigated the impact of vitamin C on morphological and histological changes in guinea pig parotid glands and its impact on Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) and Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) expression.
Material and Methods: Forty-eight Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs (6-8 months, both sexes) were divided into four groups: control, Vitamin C (3 mg/kg), radiation 8 Grays (Gys), and radiation + Vitamin C. Animals were treated with radiation and/or Vitamin C for 15 days on alternate days. Weight and saliva volume were measured on alternate days too. Parotid glands were extracted for histological and immunohistochemical analysis of TNF-α and IL-1β. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 21) and presented as mean ± SEM. One-way ANOVA with Bonferroni’s post hoc test was applied, with P < 0.05 considered significant.
Results: Over 15 days, no significant differences in animal weight were observed (P>0.05). However, a significant reduction in saliva production occurred in the radiation group, alleviated by Vitamin C (P<0.05). Histological analysis showed radiation-induced inflammation in the parotid glands, which was diminished by Vitamin C. Immunohistochemistry revealed a significant increase in TNF-α and IL-1β expression in the radiation group (P<0.001), with Vitamin C significantly downregulating both markers in the radiation + Vitamin C group (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Vitamin C may protect against radiation-induced parotid gland inflammation by downregulating TNF-α and IL-1β, suggesting its potential as a therapy for radiation-induced tissue injury.

Highlights

Muhammad Furqan Bari (google scholar)

Zeba Haque (google scholar)

Keywords

Main Subjects

Please cite this article as: Ansari AA, Abdul Razzak Z, Furqan Bari M, Khan L, Amir Q, Ashraf A, Ashraf A, Haque Z, Qaiser M, Hanif F. Vitamin C Mitigates Radiation-Induced Parotid Glands Inflammation by Downregulating TNF-α and IL-1β Expression in Guinea Pigs. Middle East J Cancer. 2026; 17(2): p-p. doi: 10.30476/mejc.2026.105034.2219.

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Middle East Journal of Cancer

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 01 April 2026
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