Radioprotective effect of lycopene on the gastrointestinal tract after high-dose radioiodine administration in rat models.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of lycopene against radioactive iodine (RAI)-related gastrointestinal tract acute damage in a rat model as a novel radioprotective agent.

Materials And Methods: Twenty Wistar albino rats were divided into two equal groups: group 1 was administered only RAI and group 2 was administered RAI and lycopene. All rats were killed 24 h after the last administration of the agents and the gastrointestinal tract organs were removed surgically for histopathological examination.