High-dose Radiation Induced Heart Damage in a Rat Model.

Authors :: Kiscsatári L
Sárközy M
Kővári B
Varga Z
Gömöri K
Morvay N
Leprán I
Hegyesi H
Fábián G
Cserni B
Cserni G
Csont T
Kahán Z
Source :: In vivo (Athens, Greece) [In Vivo] 2016 09-10; Vol. 30 (5), pp. 623-31.
Publication Year :: 2016
Abstract: Background/aim: Radiation-induced heart disease (RIHD) is a concern during radiotherapy. For its comprehensive study, an in vivo selective heart irradiation model was developed.<br />Materials and Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were irradiated with 50 Gy and functional imaging, biochemical (circulating growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and morphological (picrosirius red staining of the heart) objectives were tested.<br />Results: Signs and symptoms of RIHD occurred >12 weeks after irradiation with tachypnea, systolic and diastolic dysfunction, cardiac hypertrophy and body development retardation. Plasma GDF-15 was increased 3, 12 and 26, while plasma TGF-beta was increased 12 weeks after irradiation. At autopsy, extensive pleural fluid was found in the irradiated animals. Interstitial fibrosis could be reliably detected and quantified in irradiated hearts after a follow-up time of 19 weeks.<br />Conclusion: The studied parameters could be used in future experiments for testing protective agents for prevention of radiation heart injury.<br /> (Copyright © 2016 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.)