Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RADIATION BIOLOGY, cilt.5, ss.1-7, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Purpose: The effects of ionizing radiation on living organisms are mainly known as the generation
of reactive oxygen species (ROS), apoptosis, and DNA damage. Small GTPases (RhoA, Rac1, Cdc42)
are known to have roles in the regulation of oxidative stress and apoptosis. The aim of this study
was to investigate the role of the RhoA molecule in testicular tissue damage due to oxidative stress
and apoptosis induced by ionizing radiation.
Material and method: In this study, testicular tissues and blood samples obtained from our
previous study were examined. In that study, rats were exposed to ionizing radiation at three
different doses (0.02 Gy, 0.1 Gy, 5 Gy). Then tissue and blood samples were taken at three different
times (2 hours, 24 hours, and 7 days) after irradiation. Immunohistochemical staining was performed
to evaluate RhoA and cleaved caspase-3 expressions, while RhoA activity was assessed by G-LISA
assay in testicular tissues. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD)
activity were analyzed to evaluate oxidative stress.
Results: The expression and activation of RhoA demonstrated a time-dependent increase across all
levels of radiation doses. Similarly, the expression of cleaved caspase-3 also exhibited a
time-dependent increase, consistent with the effects of radiation-induced damage observed in all
experimental groups. After exposure to radiation, serum levels of MDA increased, while the activity
of SOD decreased.
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that RhoA may contribute to radiation-induced testicular tissue
damage by increasing oxidative stress and apoptosis.