Introduction:

To determine whether a diet of wheat (Triticum aestivum) germ has a radioprotective effect on albino rat (Rattus rattus var. Albinus) myocardial tissue.

Method:

Rats between 200 and 250 g were divided into 4 groups of 6 each: Two groups were fed either a wheat diet or regular diet 16 days before and after a single exposure to 18 mSv of X-rays. The other two groups were fed the same diets but not exposed to X-rays. The animals were sacrificed, and heart tissue was submitted to histopathological study.

Results:

Rats fed a standard diet and exposed to X-rays presented marked hyperemia of blood vessels, necrosis, presence of connective tissue fibrocytes, loss of muscle architecture and radial arrangement. Exposed rats fed a wheat diet presented with only light necrosis and the presence of fibrocytes. Rats not exposed to X-rays had healthy myocardia.

Conclusions:

Wheat germ diet may have a radioprotective effect on rat myocardium.

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