Protective effect of superoxide dismutase in radiation-induced intestinal inflammation. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2005;61:1159-1166. [PMID: 15752897 DOI: org/10.1016/j.ijrobp.2004.11.010]

Development of a mouse model of radiation-induced duodenitis

AIM: To develop a mouse model of radiation-induced duodenitis.

METHODS: Ninety-three female Balb/c mice were randomly divided into seven groups: a control group (n = 13), a 4.5 Gy group (n = 13), a 6.0 Gy group (n = 13), a 9.0 Gy group (n = 13), a 12.0 Gy group (n = 13), a 13.5 Gy group (n = 13) and a 15.0 Gy group (n = 15). Mice were sacrificed 3.5 or 7.0 d after abdominal irradiation with a single dose of Cobalt-60. Duodenal samples were taken for histopathological analysis, and blood, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes were sampled to detect the levels of inflammatory factors interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α).

RESULTS: The levels of inflammatory factors IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α increased in all the irradiation groups compared to the control group. The length of villi and the number of crypt were significantly reduced in the 12.0, 13.5 and 15.0 Gy groups compared to the control group on day 3.5, which was consistent with the changes in radiation-induced enteritis. The 13.5 and 15.0 Gy groups had a high mortality, and the 12.0 Gy group was better in simulating clinical radioactive duodenitis.

CONCLUSION: A mouse model of radiation-induced duodenitis can be successfully developed by abdominal irradiation with a single dose (12.0 Gy) of ⁶⁰Co.