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Background: Some compounds have been investigated to mitigate the effect of radiation on the lung, such as pneumonitis and fibrosis. Objective: This study aimed to examine the mitigation efficiency of Spirulina compared to the effect of Metformin. Methods: 25 male Wistar rats were allotted in five groups: control, Spirulina, Radiation, Radiation plus Spirulina, and Radiation plus Metformin. Rat chest regions were irradiated by 15 Gray (Gy) xradiation using aLINAC. Forty-eight hours after irradiation, treatment with Spirulina and Metformin began. Eighty days after irradiation, all rats were sacrificed, and their lung tissues were removed for histopathological, and biochemical assays. Results: The results demonstrated that irradiation increased MDA (Malondialdehyde) levels while suppressing the SOD (superoxide dismutase) and GPx(glutathione peroxidase) activity in the irradiated group. MDA levels in lung tissues were reduced with Metformin but not with Spirulina. Both Metformin and Spirulina increased the SOD and GPx activity in lung tissue. Moreover, histopathological evaluations showed extensive changes in the lung tissue including infiltration of lymph cells around the bronchioles and blood vessels, thickening of the alveolar wall, and the disruption of the alveolar structure, as well as accumulation of collagen fibers. Administration of Spirulina and Metformin significantly reduced pathological changes in lung tissue, although the effect of Metformin was greater than that of Spirulina. Conclusion: Spirulina could mitigate radiation-induced lung injury moderately, although Metformin is more effective than Spirulina as a mitigator agent.

Background: During a radiological or nuclear disaster, exposure to a high dose of ionizing radiation usually results in cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure, attack, and ischemia. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the mitigation effects of Spirulina in comparison to Metformin's. Methods: 25 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to five groups (5 rats in each): for the control group, rats did not receive any intervention. In group 2, spirulina was administered orally to rats. In group 3, rats were irradiated to the chest region with 15 Gray(Gy) x-radiation. In groups 4 and 5, rats were irradiated in the same way as group 3. Forty-eight hours after irradiation, treatment with Spirulina and Metformin began. All rats were sacrificed after ten weeks, and their heart tissues were removed for histopathological and biochemical assays. Results: Results showed an elevation in Malondialdehyde (MDA) and decreasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Moreover, pathological changes of radiation were irregularities in the arrangement of myofibrils, proliferation, migration of mononuclear cells, vacuolation of the cytoplasm, and congestion. Administration of spirulina enhanced the SOD activity while did not affect MDA level and pathological change in heart tissue. Despite spirulina, metformin had a considerable effect on pathological lesions and decreased the level of MDA. Conclusion: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) may be involved in the late effects of radiationinduced heart injury, and scavenging these particles may contribute to reduced radiation side effects. Based on these results, Spirulina had no effect on radiation-induced cardiac damage, while metformin did. Higher Spirulina doses given over a longer period of time will likely have a greater heart-mitigate effect.