PREVENTION BY ELLAGIC ACID OF LIPID-PEROXIDATION IN PLACENTA AND FETUS OF RATS IRRADIATED WITH CO-60

The effect of ellagic acid on lipid peroxide levels was examined in th e placenta and fetus of pregnant rats irradiated with Co-60. Upon whol e body irradiation with Co-60 (10 Gy or 30 Gy), the lipid peroxide lev els in the placenta, in the liver and brain of the fetus, and in the s erum, liver, spleen, and brain of the pregnant rat were significantly increased one day after the irradiation. When ellagic acid was adminis tered either through a stomach tube or by intraperitoneal injection to the rat for 4 successive days before the irradiation, the increase in lipid peroxide levels in these samples, except for the brain of the p regnant rat, was significantly prevented. The effect on the placenta a nd fetus paralleled that found in the pregnant rat. By the administrat ion of ellagic acid, the morphological changes such as degeneration of vascular endothelial cells of the placenta and liver cells of the fet us caused by the irradiation were prevented. The survival rate of the fetus after the irradiation was improved by ellagic acid. The effects of ellagic acid were approximately the same as those of alpha-tocopher ol.