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Morphological aspects of ionizing radiation response of small intestine.

Knowledge of the acute and late ionizing radiation exposure damage to the gastrointestinal tract, particularly injury of the small intestine, is of great significance in radiotherapy, as is management of accidental radiation exposure. Irradiation (X-ray, neutron, cobalt gamma) induces a series of events in this rapidly renewing tissue resulting in the well-known symptoms of the gastrointestinal (GI) radiation syndrome, such as GI haemorrhage, endotoxemia, bacterial infection, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and loss of electrolytes and fluid. In spite of the significant advances that have occurred in research on underlying mechanisms over the last two decades, the overall etiology and pathogenesis of the GI-syndrome still remains unclear. Currently, to our knowledge, these symptoms are probably due to a rapid modification of the intestinal motility and to the structural alteration of the intestinal mucosa (cell loss and altered crypt integrity). Several evidences suggest that radiation-induced dysfunctions and structural changes of this organ (either changes in subcellular, cellular, and histological structure) are mediated by concerted and interrelated changes of a plethora of various extracellular mediators and their intracellular messengers. The aim of this review is to summarize our current knowledge about the pathomorphology and cell biology of the ionizing radiation response of the GI tract with a focus on the small intestine.

Cell Line↗

[Small doses of ionizing radiation as radiation modifying factor].

To investigate the biological effects of small dose ionizing radiation has been acquiring greater importance. The awareness of how and in what direction it show its modifying effects in small doses is an essential scientific basis for developing standards, living conditions under specific environmental conditions. Cultured Hela cells and DEF 4/21 fibroblasts were used to evaluate the biological effects of small-dose ionizing radiation, by examining the conditions under which it showed its modifying effect in small doses (0.1 Gy) in particular. Preexposure to small-dose radiation was shown to alter cell responses to subsequent radiation in large doses. The modifying effects of small-dose radiation turned out to depend on the interval of exposure to small and large doses. Sensitization was recorded at an interval of 2-3 min; an adaptive response was achieved when the interval increased up to 3-5 hours. Upon exposure, intercellular contacts contribute to the modifying effects of small-dose radiation. There was neither effect of sensitization nor adaptive response if single cells were exposed to radiation.

Cell Line↗

Mechanisms involved in rejoining DNA double-strand breaks induced by ionizing radiation and restriction enzymes.

DNA double-strand breaks are considered to be the most deleterious lesion induced by ionizing radiation. However, the mechanism of rejoining of these lesions has not been extensively studied at the molecular level. We have used a shuttle vector, pHAZE, to analyze the mechanism of rejoining of DNA double-strand breaks in human cells. The advantage of this vector system is that, unlike many previously described shuttle vectors, it has a large target gene for the detection of deletions and it is maintained as a freely replicating episome with chromatin conformation in the nucleus of human cells. In this study we compare data obtained on the spectrum of mutations induced in pHAZE by ionizing radiation (alpha-particles) and restriction enzymes (PvuII, ClaI, and PvuI). Unlike ionizing radiation, restriction enzymes induce double-strand breaks in DNA with known end structures at defined locations and therefore provide a model system for analyzing cellular responses to DNA double-strand breaks. Exposure of human cells containing the vector to alpha-particle irradiation produced both point mutations and large deletions in pHAZE. When the junction regions of the deletions were sequenced it was found that 65% were rejoined with up to 6 bp of homology at the junction region. Analysis of restriction-enzyme-induced mutations suggests that double-strand break ends are modified to facilitate rejoining and that the type of modification is characteristic for different end structures. Double-strand breaks with cohesive ends appear to have fewer modifications introduced at the break points before rejoining than breaks with blunt ends. When considered in relation to the data obtained with ionizing radiation this suggests that the presence of cohesive sequences either at, or in proximity to, the ends enhances rejoining of DNA double-strand breaks.

Base Sequence↗

Ionizing radiation and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

The U.S. government recently implemented rules for awarding compensation to individuals with cancer who were exposed to ionizing radiation while working in the nuclear weapons complex. Under these rules, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is considered to be a nonradiogenic form of cancer. In other words, workers who develop CLL automatically have their compensation claim rejected because the compensation rules hold that the risk of radiation-induced CLL is zero. In this article we review molecular, clinical, and epidemiologic evidence regarding the radiogenicity of CLL. We note that current understanding of radiation-induced tumorigenesis and the etiology of lymphatic neoplasia provides a strong mechanistic basis for expecting that ionizing radiation exposure increases CLL risk. The clinical characteristics of CLL, including prolonged latency and morbidity periods and a low case fatality rate, make it relatively difficult to evaluate associations between ionizing radiation and CLL risk via epidemiologic methods. The epidemiologic evidence of association between external exposure to ionizing radiation and CLL is weak. However, epidemiologic findings are consistent with a hypothesis of elevated CLL mortality risk after a latency and morbidity period that spans several decades. Our findings in this review suggest that there is not a persuasive basis for the conclusion that CLL is a nonradiogenic form of cancer.

Eligibility Determination↗

The molecular basis for cell cycle delays following ionizing radiation: a review.

Exposure of a wide variety of cells to ionizing (X- or gamma-) irradiation results in a division delay which may have several components including a G1 block, a G2 arrest or an S phase delay. The G1 arrest is absent in many cell lines, and the S phase delay is typically seen following relatively high doses (> 5 Gy). In contrast, the G2 arrest is seen in virtually all eukaryotic cells and occurs following high and low doses, even under 1 Gy. The mechanism underlying the G2 arrest may involve suppression of cyclin B1 mRNA and/or protein in some cell lines and tyrosine phosphorylation of p34cdc2 in others. Similar mechanisms are likely to be operative in the G2 arrest induced by various chemotherapeutic agents including nitrogen mustard and etoposide. The upstream signal transduction pathways involved in the G2 arrest following ionizing radiation remain obscure in mammalian cells; however, in the budding yeast the rad9 gene and in the fission yeast the chk1/rad27 gene are involved. There is evidence indicating that shortening of the G2 arrest results in decreased survival which has led to the hypothesis that during this block, cells repair damaged DNA following exposure to genotoxic agents. In cell lines examined to date, wildtype p53 is required for the G1 arrest following ionizing radiation. The gadd45 gene may also have a role in this arrest. Elimination of the G1 arrest leads to no change in survival following radiation in some cell lines and increased radioresistance in others. It has been suggested that this induction of radioresistance in certain cell lines is due to loss of the ability to undergo apoptosis. Relatively little is known about the mechanism underlying the S phase delay. This delay is due to a depression in the rate of DNA synthesis and has both a slow and a fast component. In some cells the S phase delay can be abolished by staurosporine, suggesting involvement of a protein kinase. Understanding the molecular mechanisms behind these delays may lead to improvement in the efficacy of radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy if they can be exploited to decrease repair or increase apoptosis following exposure to those agents.

Animals↗

Exposure to ionizing radiation alters vasoreactivity in rat jejunum ex vivo.

The effect of ionizing radiation on jejunal blood flow was investigated in rats receiving whole-body exposure to 10 Gy gamma-radiation. Irradiation resulted in increased myeloperoxidase activity, indicative of neutrophil infiltration, and prostaglandin E2 synthesis by 2 h post-irradiation, but had no effect on leukotriene B4 synthesis. In ex vivo intestinal chamber studies, exposure to radiation reversed the mucosal-submucosal blood flow changes elicited by intravenous administration of leukotriene C4 (1 microgram.kg-1.min-1 for 10 min) or endothelin 1 (1 microgram.kg-1.min-1 for 5 min), but not that elicited by topical capsaicin (100 or 640 microM), as measured by laser Doppler flowmetry. The effect of radiation on vascular responses to leukotriene C4, but not those to endothelin 1, was reversed by pretreatment of the rats with the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin (5 mg/kg). There was no significant effect of irradiation on mean arterial pressure or on ion or protein effluxes into the chamber bathing solution, nor did irradiation alter transmural potential difference. These studies point to altered responsiveness of the jejunal mucosal-submucosal vasculature shortly after exposure to ionizing radiation. Changes in function could reflect the onset of an acute inflammatory response, and appear to have cyclooxygenase-dependent and -independent components.

Animals↗

Increased body weight in C57BL/6 female mice after exposure to ionizing radiation or 60Hz magnetic fields.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether early treatment with ionizing radiation and/or chronic magnetic field (MF) exposure affected body weight in female mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Weanling C57BL/6 female mice were irradiated with four equal weekly cobalt-60 exposures (total cumulative doses: 3.0, 4.0, 5.1Gy) and/or received chronic lifetime exposure to 1.4 mT 60 Hz circularly polarized MF or ambient MF. The body weights of 2280 mice were recorded at 35 age intervals, and analysis of variance was used to compare the mean differences from baseline weights between treatment groups and sham-exposed controls. RESULTS: A highly statistically significant effect of ionizing radiation on body weight was observed at 28 age intervals (p < or = 0.001), and for MF exposure at 10 age intervals (p < or = 0.001). During the young adult growth phase, mice exposed only to MF exhibited < or =0.5 g greater weight gain relative to sham-exposed controls (p = 0.0001). The effect of ionizing radiation alone was inversely related to dose, with the largest weight increases observed in all of the irradiated groups after 9-12 months (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with split-dose ionizing radiation at an early age and chronic exposure to a residential power frequency MF were found to produce small but significant increases in body weight.

Animals↗

[Effect of ionizing radiation on cell membrane proteins].

The effect of ionizing radiation on the meat cattle thymocytes plasma membranes was studied. Using fluorescence quenching technique the effect of irradiation on proteins conformation was investigated. The influence of ionizing radiation on the plasma membranes was shown to be followed by changes of the protein structure-dynamic organization.

Animals↗

Occupational exposure to ionizing radiation is associated with autoimmune thyroid disease.

CONTEXT: The thyroid gland is a potential target organ for radiation-related damage. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the analysis was to investigate the association between occupational exposure to ionizing radiation and autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD). DESIGN: Our design was the cross-sectional Study of Health in Pomerania. SETTING: The setting was the general community. SUBJECTS: Analyses were performed in a population-based sample of 4299 subjects. Among them, 160 persons reported a history of occupational exposure to ionizing radiation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: AITD was defined as the combined presence of hypoechogenicity in thyroid ultrasound and antithyroxiperoxidase antibodies greater than 200 IU/ml. RESULTS: Females with occupational exposure to ionizing radiation had more often AITD than nonexposed females (10.0 vs. 3.4%; P < 0.05). This association persisted after adjustment for relevant confounders (odds ratio, 3.46; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-10.31; P < 0.05). In males, there were too few subjects who fulfilled the criteria of AITD, but the association between the exposure to radiation and hypoechogenicity of the thyroid gland barely missed statistical significance (odds ratio, 2.20; 95% confidence interval, 0.92-5.26; P = 0.08). In both females and males, subjects who reported a length of exposure of more than 5 yr exhibited the highest risk of the endpoints. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that occupational exposure to ionizing radiation is related to the risk of AITD. The usage of thyroid protection shields by radiation workers is strongly recommended.

Adult↗

Potential adverse health effects of low-level ionizing radiation exposure in a hospital setting.

In this study, the authors investigated the short-term (i.e., 1-yr) health effects of low-level occupational and personal exposure to ionizing radiation in a hospital setting. Thyroid function, lung function, platelet count, and leukocyte classification were obtained for 142 ionizing radiation operators. In addition, individual exposure doses were measured. The mean annual cumulative dose in 25 exposed subjects was 6.0 +/- 10.1 millisieverts. The highest exposure ratio among 20 of 41 (49%) radioisotope operators was significantly higher than for other ionizing radiation workers. Abnormal leukocyte counts occurred in 26% of radio-diagnosis operators and 30% of radioisotope operators, compared with 15% for other potentially exposed operators. No significant relative risk was found in subjects with above-background exposures. However, the highly exposed population experienced elevations in thyroid stimulating hormone (adjusted odds ratio [ORa = 2.0; T3 [OR = 1.7]); mononuclear leukocytes (ORa = 2.4); and basophilic leukocytes (ORa = 2.0). Although the authors failed to find short-term health effects in hospital operators exposed annually to less than 6.0 millisieverts of ionizing radiation, additional protection would certainly be prudent for these operators.

Adult↗

Ionizing radiation activates Erb-B receptor dependent Akt and p70 S6 kinase signaling in carcinoma cells.

In this study we have investigated the effects of low dose ionizing radiation (2 Gy) on p70 S6 kinase and Akt signaling with respect to Erb-B receptors in both the A431 squamous and the MDA-MB-231 mammary carcinoma cell lines. Ionizing radiation caused a 2-3-fold increase in p70 S6 kinase activity that was blocked pharmacologically using an EGFR inhibitor (AG1478) alone, or in combination with an Erb-B2 inhibitor (AG825). These results suggested that both EGFR and Erb-B2 receptors could initiate radiation-induced activation of p70 S6K. EGFR dependent Erb-B3 signaling also contributed to p70 S6 kinase activity through recruitment and activation of PI3K, which has been shown to regulate p70 S6 kinase activity. Furthermore, inhibition of the EGFR blocked IR stimulated increases in protein translation, a biologic consequence of p70 S6 kinase activation. We also report that ionizing radiation stimulated Akt activity that was partially independent of PI3K activity, but dependent on Erb-B2 function. Erb-B2 inhibition also correlated with enhanced apoptosis following IR exposure, suggesting an important role for Erb-B2 in cell survival. Together this work demonstrates that the Erb-B receptor tyrosine kinase network stimulates cytoprotective p70 S6 kinase and Akt activity in response to clinically relevant doses of ionizing radiation.

Apoptosis↗

Enhancement of antitumor activity of ionizing radiation by combined treatment with the selective epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor ZD1839 (Iressa).

PURPOSE: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is expressed in the majority of human epithelial cancers and has been implicated in the development of cancer cell resistance to cyotoxic drugs and to ionizing radiation. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We used ZD1839, a selective small molecule EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor currently in clinical development. We tested the antiproliferative and the proapoptotic activity of ZD1839 in combination with ionizing radiation in human colon (GEO), ovarian (OVCAR-3), non-small cell lung (A549 and Calu-6), and breast (MCF-7 ADR) cancer cell lines. The antitumor activity of this combination was also tested in nude mice bearing established GEO colon cancer xenografts. RESULTS: With ionizing radiation or ZD1839, a dose-dependent growth inhibition was observed in all of the cancer cell lines growing in soft agar. A cooperative antiproliferative and proapoptotic effect was obtained when cancer cells were treated with ionizing radiation followed by ZD1839. This effect was accompanied by inhibition in the expression of the antiapoptotic proteins bcl-xL and bcl-2, and by a suppression of the activated (phosphorylated) form of akt protein. Treatment of mice bearing established human GEO colon cancer xenografts with radiotherapy (RT) resulted in a dose-dependent tumor growth inhibition that was reversible upon treatment cessation. Long term GEO tumor growth regressions were obtained after RT in combination with ZD1839. This resulted in a significant improvement in survival of these mice as compared with the control group (P < 0.001), the RT-treated group (P < 0.001), or the ZD1839-treated group (P < 0.001). The only mice alive 10 weeks after tumor cell injection were in the RT-plus-ZD1839 group. Furthermore, 10% of mice in this group were alive and tumor-free after 26 weeks. Similar results were obtained in mice bearing established human A549 lung adenocarcinoma xenografts. Finally, the combined treatment with RT plus ZD1839 was accompanied by a significant potentiation in the inhibition of transforming growth factor alpha, vascular epidermal growth factor, and basic fibroblast growth factor expression in cancer cells, which resulted in significant antiangiogenic effects as determined by immunohistochemical count of neovessels within the GEO tumors. CONCLUSION: This study provides a rationale for evaluating in cancer patients the combination of ionizing radiation and selective EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as ZD1839.

Animals↗

Response of cyclin B1 to ionizing radiation: regulation by NF-kappaB and mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme MnSOD.

BACKGROUND: To understand the molecular response of tumor cells to therapeutic ionizing radiation (IR), we previously reported that human breast cancer cells derived following chronic exposure to fractionated ionizing radiation (MCF+FIR) showed a transient radioresistance. MCF+FIR cells also demonstrated increased activity of NF-kappaB, increased expression of the mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme (MnSOD), and increased expression of a cell cycle regulatory protein (Cyclin B1). The present studies were designed to determine the relationship of NF-kappaB, MnSOD and Cyclin B1 expression in cellular adaptive responses to ionizing radiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The first intron of the cyclin B1 gene with a putative NF-kappaB element was cloned into the pGL3 luciferase reporter (pGL3CB1EI1). PGL3CB1EI1 and control NF-kappaB luciferase activities were determined in MCF-7 and MCF+FIR cells treated with a single dose of radiation, over expression of the dominant negative mutant IkB (mIkB) or over expression of the SOD2 gene. RESULTS: MCF+FIR cells derived from fractionated IR demonstrated increased transactivation of the pGL3CB1EI1 and NF-kappaB controlled reporter activities, relative to the parental cell line. Transfection of dominant negative mutant IkB that inhibits NF-kappaB nuclear translocation, inhibited pGL3CB1EI1 and NF-kappaB activity, indicating the NF-kappaB dependence of pGL3CB1EI1 mediated transcription. In addition, over expression of the human SOD2 gene (MnSOD) inhibited NF-kappaB and pGL3CB1EI1 activity, indicating that superoxide or some species derived from superoxide may have participated in the up-regulation of reporter activity in response to chronic exposure to fractionated ionizing radiation. These results provide evidence suggesting that a signaling pathway involving NF-kappaB and Cyclin B1 may contribute to adaptive radioresistance induced by chronic exposure to fractionated IR and support the conclusion that MnSOD appears to be a negative regulator of this pathway.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Low-dose ionizing radiation: induction of differential intracellular signalling possibly affecting intercellular communication.

Given the complexity of the carcinogenic process and the lack of any mechanistic understanding of how ionizing radiation at low-level exposures affects the multistage, multimechanism processes of carcinogenesis, it is imperative that concepts and paradigms be reexamined when extrapolating from high dose to low dose. Any health effect directly linked to low-dose radiation exposure must have molecular/biochemical and biological bases. On the other hand, demonstrating some molecular/biochemical or cellular effect, using surrogate systems for the human being, does not necessarily imply a corresponding health effect. Given the general acceptance of an extrapolated LNT model, our current understanding of carcinogenesis cries out for a resolution of a real problem. How can a low-level acute, or even a chronic, exposure of ionizing radiation bring about all the different mechanisms (mutagenic, cytotoxic, and epigenetic) and genotypic/phenotypic changes needed to convert normal cells to an invasive, malignant cell, given all the protective, repair, and suppressive systems known to exist in the human body? Until recently, the prevailing paradigm that ionizing radiation brings about cancer primarily by DNA damage and its conversion to gene and chromosomal mutations, drove our interpretation of radiation carcinogenesis. Today, our knowledge includes the facts both that epigenetic events play a major role in carcinogenesis and that low-dose radiation can also induce epigenetic events in and between cells in tissues. This challenges any simple extrapolation of the LNT model. Although a recent delineation of "hallmarks" of the cancer process has helped to focus on how ionizing radiation might contribute to the induction of cancers, several other hallmarks, previously ignored--namely, the stem cells in tissues as targets for carcinogenesis and the role of cell-cell communication processes in modulating the radiation effects on the target cell--must be considered, particularly for the adaptive response, bystander effects, and genomic instability phenomena.

Bystander Effect↗

Clustered DNA damages induced in isolated DNA and in human cells by low doses of ionizing radiation.

Clustered DNA damages-two or more closely spaced damages (strand breaks, abasic sites, or oxidized bases) on opposing strands-are suspects as critical lesions producing lethal and mutagenic effects of ionizing radiation. However, as a result of the lack of methods for measuring damage clusters induced by ionizing radiation in genomic DNA, neither the frequencies of their production by physiological doses of radiation, nor their repairability, nor their biological effects are known. On the basis of methods that we developed for quantitating damages in large DNAs, we have devised and validated a way of measuring ionizing radiation-induced clustered lesions in genomic DNA, including DNA from human cells. DNA is treated with an endonuclease that induces a single-strand cleavage at an oxidized base or abasic site. If there are two closely spaced damages on opposing strands, such cleavage will reduce the size of the DNA on a nondenaturing gel. We show that ionizing radiation does induce clustered DNA damages containing abasic sites, oxidized purines, or oxidized pyrimidines. Further, the frequency of each of these cluster classes is comparable to that of frank double-strand breaks; among all complex damages induced by ionizing radiation, double-strand breaks are only about 20%, with other clustered damage constituting some 80%. We also show that even low doses (0.1-1 Gy) of high linear energy transfer ionizing radiation induce clustered damages in human cells.

Bacteriophage T7↗

Chemical protection against ionizing radiation.

Some of the problems related to chemical protection against ionizing radiation are discussed with emphasis on: definition, classification, degree of protection, mechanisms of action and toxicity. Results on the biological response modifyers (BRMs) and on the combination of nontoxic (i.e. low) doses of sulphydryl radioprotectors and BRMs are presented.

Amifostine↗

Shift in imaging modalities of the spine through 25 years and its impact on patient ionizing radiation doses.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective. OBJECTIVE: To explore the shift in modalities when diagnosing the spine in the years 1979-2003. To see how this shift, together with a radiation protective policy, have influenced on the ionizing radiation doses. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The shift from CT/myelography to MR when diagnosing the spine is well known. To what extent this has changed the radiation doses has to our knowledge not yet been published. METHODS: Activity reports from a department of radiology have been reviewed. Relevant radiation doses estimates have been obtained from the Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority. RESULTS: MRI was introduced in 1992 and has been used increasingly since then. Conventional X-ray to the spine has been practically unchanged. Myelography and CT decreased markedly after the introduction of MRI. The total number of examinations of the spine has increased, but the radiation doses given have decreased since 1993. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of MRI together with a radiation protective policy have reduced the ionizing radiation doses given to this population, in spite of an increase in the total number of examinations of the spine.

Body Burden↗

SU11752 inhibits the DNA-dependent protein kinase and DNA double-strand break repair resulting in ionizing radiation sensitization.

Loss of the DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) results in increased sensitivity to ionizing radiation due to inefficient repair of DNA double-strand breaks. Overexpression of DNA-PK in tumor cells conversely results in resistance to ionizing radiation. It is therefore possible that inhibition of DNA-PK will enhance the preferential killing of tumor cells by radiotherapy. Available inhibitors of DNA-PK, like wortmannin, are cytotoxic and stop the cell cycle because they inhibit phoshatidylinositol-3-kinases at 100-fold lower concentrations required to inhibit DNA-PK. In an effort to develop a specific DNA-PK inhibitor, we have characterized SU11752, from a three-substituted indolin-2-ones library. SU11752 and wortmannin were equally potent inhibitors of DNA-PK. In contrast, inhibition of the phoshatidylinositol-3-kinase p110gamma required 500-fold higher concentration of SU11752. Thus, SU11752 was a more selective inhibitor of DNA-PK than wortmannin. Inhibition kinetics and a direct assay for ATP binding showed that SU11752 inhibited DNA-PK by competing with ATP. SU11752 inhibited DNA double-strand break repair in cells and gave rise to a five-fold sensitization to ionizing radiation. At concentrations of SU11752 that inhibited DNA repair, cell cycle progression was still normal and ATM kinase activity was not inhibited. We conclude that SU11752 defines a new class of drugs that may serve as a starting point for the development of specific DNA-PK inhibitors.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗