Can Saccharomyces boulardii protect against radioactive iodine induced gastrointestinal damage? Study in a rat model

OBJECTIVE: Radioactive iodine (RAI) is widely used for the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid diseases. Common side effects of RAI include sialadenitis, xerostomia and gastrointestinal symptoms. In this study we aimed to investigate the effect of Saccharomyces boulardii (S.boulardii) on the gastrointestinal changes induced by RAI. METHODS: Twenty four Wistar albino rats were grouped into three; the first group received RAI, the second group received RAI together with S.boulardii (RAI-S) and the third group served as controls. Tissue oxidative stress parameters and zonulin levels-as a marker of increased intestinal permeability- were measured at the end of the study. The gastrointestinal tissue specimens are also microscopically analyzed and graded according to the Histological Activity Index (HAI). RESULTS: We found no difference in the zonulin levels. We detected no difference in oxidative stress parameters in most of the tissues except slight changes in duodenum and ileum. HAI scores were significantly lower in RAI-S group when compared to the RAI group. CONCLUSION: This study showed that S.boulardii is protective against RAI induced gastrointestinal damage. This effect is probably beyond its antioxidant properties or impacts on intestinal permeability.