Radioprotective effects and mechanism of HL-003 on radiation-induced salivary gland damage in mice

Ionizing radiation (IR) can cause damage to the structure and function of salivary glands. Our research group independently synthesized the ROS scavenger, HL-003. The aim of this study was to explore the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of HL-003 on radiation-induced salivary gland injury. Salivary flow rate measurement, H&E staining, immunohistochemistry, FRAP, TUNEL, and western blotting were used to evaluate the radioprotective effect on salivary glands. The results showed that HL-003 protected the salivary secretion function by protecting the AQP-5 protein, on the salivary epithelial cell membrane, from IR damage. HL-003 reduced oxidative stress in the salivary gland by regulating the expression of ROS-related proteins NOX4, SOD2, and 8-OHdG. Furthermore, HL-003 downregulated the expression of p-p53, Bax, caspase 3, and caspase 9, and upregulated the expression of Bcl-2, suggesting that it could inhibit the activation of p53 to reduce cell apoptosis. In conclusion, HL-003 is an effective radioprotector that prevents damage of the radiation-induced salivary gland.