Attenuation of radiation-induced gastrointestinal damage by epidermal growth factor and bone marrow transplantation in mice

Abstract

Purpose: We examined the effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and bone marrow transplantation (BMT) on gastrointestinal damage after high-dose irradiation of mice.

Material and methods: C57Black/6 mice were used. Two survival experiments were performed (12 and 13 Gy; ⁶⁰Co, 0.59–0.57 Gy/min). To evaluate BMT and EGF action, five groups were established – 0 Gy, 13 Gy, 13 Gy + EGF (at 2 mg/kg, first dose 24 h after irradiation and then every 48 h), 13 Gy + BMT (5 × 10⁶ cells from green fluorescent protein [GFP] syngenic mice, 4 h after irradiation), and 13 Gy + BMT + EGF. Survival data, blood cell counts, gastrointestine and liver parameters and GFP positive cell migration were measured.

Results: BMT and EGF (three doses, at 2 mg/kg, administered 1, 3 and 5 days after irradiation) significantly increased survival (13 Gy). In blood, progressive cytopenia was observed with BMT, EGF or their combination having no improving effect early after irradiation. In gastrointestinal system, BMT, EGF and their combination attenuated radiation-induced atrophy and increased regeneration during first week after irradiation with the combination being most effective. Signs of systemic inflammatory reaction were observed 30 days after irradiation.

Conclusions: Our data indicate that BMT together with EGF is a promising strategy in the treatment of high-dose whole-body irradiation damage.

Keywords::

• Ionizing radiation
• acute radiation syndrome
• mice
• epidermal growth factor
• bone marrow transplantation
• green fluorescent protein

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Mrs Šárka Prů chová for her skilful technical assistance. This work was supported by the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic through a Long-term organisation development plan 1011, by research project PRVOUK P37-08 (from Charles University in Praha, Faculty of Medicine at Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic) and by the Grant SV/FVZ201405.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.