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Raber J, Holden S, Kessler K, Glaeser B, McQuesten C, Chaudhari M, Stenzel F, Lenarczyk M, Leonard SW, Morré J, Choi J, Kronenberg A, Borg A, Kwok A, Stevens JF, Olsen C, Willey JS, Bobe G, Minnier J, Baker JE. Effects of photon irradiation in the presence and absence of hindlimb unloading on the behavioral performance and metabolic pathways in the plasma of Fischer rats. Front Physiol 2024; 14:1316186. [PMID: 38260101 PMCID: PMC10800373 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1316186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The space environment astronauts experience during space missions consists of multiple environmental challenges, including microgravity. In this study, we assessed the behavioral and cognitive performances of male Fisher rats 2 months after sham irradiation or total body irradiation with photons in the absence or presence of simulated microgravity. We analyzed the plasma collected 9 months after sham irradiation or total body irradiation for distinct alterations in metabolic pathways and to determine whether changes to metabolic measures were associated with specific behavioral and cognitive measures. Methods: A total of 344 male Fischer rats were irradiated with photons (6 MeV; 3, 8, or 10 Gy) in the absence or presence of simulated weightlessness achieved using hindlimb unloading (HU). To identify potential plasma biomarkers of photon radiation exposure or the HU condition for behavioral or cognitive performance, we performed regression analyses. Results: The behavioral effects of HU on activity levels in an open field, measures of anxiety in an elevated plus maze, and anhedonia in the M&M consumption test were more pronounced than those of photon irradiation. Phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan metabolism, and phenylalanine metabolism and biosynthesis showed very strong pathway changes, following photon irradiation and HU in animals irradiated with 3 Gy. Here, 29 out of 101 plasma metabolites were associated with 1 out of 13 behavioral measures. In the absence of HU, 22 metabolites were related to behavioral and cognitive measures. In HU animals that were sham-irradiated or irradiated with 8 Gy, one metabolite was related to behavioral and cognitive measures. In HU animals irradiated with 3 Gy, six metabolites were related to behavioral and cognitive measures. Discussion: These data suggest that it will be possible to develop stable plasma biomarkers of behavioral and cognitive performance, following environmental challenges like HU and radiation exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Raber
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- Departments of Neurology, and Radiation Medicine, Division of Neuroscience ONPRC, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Sarah Holden
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Kat Kessler
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Breanna Glaeser
- Neuroscience Center and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Chloe McQuesten
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Mitali Chaudhari
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Fiona Stenzel
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Marek Lenarczyk
- Radiation Biosciences Laboratory, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Scott Willem Leonard
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Jeffrey Morré
- Mass Spectrometry Core, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Jaewoo Choi
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Amy Kronenberg
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Alexander Borg
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Andy Kwok
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Jan Frederik Stevens
- College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Christopher Olsen
- Neuroscience Center and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Jeffrey S. Willey
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Gerd Bobe
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
- Department of Animal Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Jessica Minnier
- Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University School of Public Health, Knight Cancer Institute Biostatistics Shared Resource, The Knight Cardiovascular Institute, OR Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - John E. Baker
- Neuroscience Center and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
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Venkidesh BS, Shankar SR, Narasimhamurthy RK, Rao SBS, Mumbrekar KD. Radioprotective potential of probiotics against gastrointestinal and neuronal toxicity: a preclinical study. Clin Transl Oncol 2023; 25:3165-3173. [PMID: 37071338 PMCID: PMC10514165 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-023-03184-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Radiotherapy is a critical component of cancer treatment, along with surgery and chemotherapy. Approximately, 90% of cancer patients undergoing pelvic radiotherapy show gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity, including bloody diarrhea, and gastritis, most of which are associated with gut dysbiosis. In addition to the direct effect of radiation on the brain, pelvic irradiation can alter the gut microbiome, leading to inflammation and breakdown of the gut-blood barrier. This allows toxins and bacteria to enter the bloodstream and reach the brain. Probiotics have been proven to prevent GI toxicity by producing short-chain fatty acids and exopolysaccharides beneficial for protecting mucosal integrity and oxidative stress reduction in the intestine and also shown to be beneficial in brain health. Microbiota plays a significant role in maintaining gut and brain health, so it is important to study whether bacterial supplementation will help in maintaining the gut and brain structure after radiation exposure. METHODS In the present study, male C57BL/6 mice were divided into control, radiation, probiotics, and probiotics + radiation groups. On the 7th day, animals in the radiation and probiotics + radiation groups received a single dose of 4 Gy to whole-body. Posttreatment, mice were sacrificed, and the intestine and brain tissues were excised for histological analysis to assess GI and neuronal damage. RESULTS Radiation-induced damage to the villi height and mucosal thickness was mitigated by the probiotic treatment significantly (p < 0.01). Further, radiation-induced pyknotic cell numbers in the DG, CA2, and CA3 areas were substantially reduced with bacterial supplementation (p < 0.001). Similarly, probiotics reduced neuronal inflammation induced by radiation in the cortex, CA2, and DG region (p < 0.01). Altogether, the probiotics treatment helps mitigate radiation-induced intestinal and neuronal damage. CONCLUSION In conclusion, the probiotic formulation could attenuate the number of pyknotic cells in the hippocampal brain region and decrease neuroinflammation by reducing the number of microglial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babu Santhi Venkidesh
- Department of Radiation Biology & Toxicology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, India
| | - Saligrama R Shankar
- Department of Radiation Biology & Toxicology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, India
| | - Rekha Koravadi Narasimhamurthy
- Department of Radiation Biology & Toxicology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, India
| | - Satish Bola Sadashiva Rao
- Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, India
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, India
| | - Kamalesh Dattaram Mumbrekar
- Department of Radiation Biology & Toxicology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, India.
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Ardasheva R, Prissadova N, Turiyski V, Tolekova A, Krastev A, Pencheva M, Popov V. Effects of Electron Radiation on Serotonin Signaling and Reactivity of Rat Gastric Smooth Muscle. TOXICS 2023; 11:603. [PMID: 37505568 PMCID: PMC10383043 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11070603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Ionizing radiation in radiotherapy can disrupt cellular functions based on radiation type, energy, and dose. However, investigations on the effects of accelerated electrons, particularly on serotonin mediation, are limited. This study aimed to investigate changes in serotonin signal transduction (targeting 5-HT2A and 5-HT2B receptors) in gastric smooth muscle (SM) samples isolated from rats irradiated with accelerated electrons (linear accelerator Siemens Primus S/N 3561) and their effects on serotonin-induced reactions. The radiation effects were examined in samples prepared five days after the procedure. The contractile activity of smooth muscle samples was measured using an isometric method. The expression of 5-HT2A and 5-HT2B receptors was determined by immunohistochemical assay. Increased contractile reactivity to exogenous serotonin (1.10-8-1.10-4 mol/L) was observed in irradiated samples compared to controls. The expression of 5-HT2A and 5-HT2B receptors was significantly increased in the irradiated tissue. By selecting appropriate time intervals between equimolar (1.10-6 mol/L) sequential serotonin exposures, a process of desensitization associated with agonist-induced internalization was established in control samples, which was absent in irradiated samples. In conclusion, irradiation with accelerated electrons affects the agonist-induced receptor internalization of 5-HT2A and 5-HT2B receptors and increases their expression in rat gastric SM, which alters their contractile reactivity to exogenous serotonin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raina Ardasheva
- Department of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Natalia Prissadova
- Department of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Valentin Turiyski
- Department of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Anna Tolekova
- Medical College, Trakia University, 6015 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
| | - Athanas Krastev
- Medical College, Trakia University, 6015 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
| | - Mina Pencheva
- Department of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Veselin Popov
- Department of Clinical Oncology (Section of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine), Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
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Zhang Y, Zhang Y, Shen C, Hao S, Duan W, Liu L, Wei H. Ionizing radiation alters functional neurotransmission in Drosophila larvae. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1151489. [PMID: 37484822 PMCID: PMC10357008 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1151489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Patients undergoing cranial ionizing radiation therapy for brain malignancies are at increased risk of long-term neurocognitive decline, which is poorly understood and currently untreatable. Although the molecular pathogenesis has been intensively researched in many organisms, whether and how ionizing radiation alters functional neurotransmission remains unknown. This is the first study addressing physiological changes in neurotransmission after ionizing radiation exposure. Methods To elucidate the cellular mechanisms of radiation damage, using calcium imaging, we analyzed the effects of ionizing radiation on the neurotransmitter-evoked responses of prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH)-releasing neurons in Drosophila larvae, which play essential roles in normal larval development. Results The neurotransmitters dopamine and tyramine decreased intracellular calcium levels of PTTH neurons in a dose-dependent manner. In gamma irradiated third-instar larvae, a dose of 25 Gy increased the sensitivity of PTTH neurons to dopamine and tyramine, and delayed development, possibly in response to abnormal functional neurotransmission. This irradiation level did not affect the viability and arborization of PTTH neurons and successful survival to adulthood. Exposure to a 40-Gy dose of gamma irradiation decreased the neurotransmitter sensitivity, physiological viability and axo-dendritic length of PTTH neurons. These serious damages led to substantial developmental delays and a precipitous reduction in the percentage of larvae that survived to adulthood. Our results demonstrate that gamma irradiation alters neurotransmitter-evoked responses, indicating synapses are vulnerable targets of ionizing radiation. Discussion The current study provides new insights into ionizing radiation-induced disruption of physiological neurotransmitter signaling, which should be considered in preventive therapeutic interventions to reduce risks of neurological deficits after photon therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- North China Research Institute of Electro-Optics, Beijing, China
| | - Yihao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Cong Shen
- China Electronics Technology Group Corporation No. 45 Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Shun Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wenlan Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Li Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hongying Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Mirković D, Beletić A, Savić M, Milinković N, Matutinović MS, Jančić I. Is alumina suitable for solid phase extraction of catecholamines from brain tissue? Arh Hig Rada Toksikol 2023; 74:120-126. [PMID: 37357881 PMCID: PMC10291496 DOI: 10.2478/aiht-2023-74-3706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Occupational and environmental toxicology specialists find catecholamine fluctuations in brain tissue relevant for research of neurotoxicity, such as that induced by manganese or zinc, pesticides, industrial solvents, plastic, air pollution, or irradiation. Considering that catecholamine tissue concentrations are generally very low, their extraction requires a reliable and optimal method that will achieve maximum recovery and minimise other interferences. This study aimed to evaluate whether the aluminium (III) oxide (Al2O3, alumina) based cartridges designed for catecholamine isolation from plasma could be used for solid-phase extraction (SPE) of catecholamine from the brain tissue. To do that, we homogenised Wistar rat brain tissue with perchloric acid and compared three extraction techniques: SPE, the routine filtration through a 0.22 µm membrane filter, and their combination. In the extracts, we compared relative chromatographic catecholamine mobility measured with high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Chromatographic patterns for norepinephrine and epinephrine were similar regardless of the extraction technique, which indicates that the alumina cartridge is good enough to isolate them from brain tissue. However, the dopamine pattern was unsatisfactory, and further experiments are needed to identify the issue and optimise the protocol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duško Mirković
- University of Belgrade Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Anđelo Beletić
- University of Zagreb Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Internal Diseases Clinic, Laboratory for Proteomics, Zagreb, Croatia
- University Clinical Centre of Serbia, Centre for Medical Biochemistry, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Miroslav Savić
- University of Belgrade Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Neda Milinković
- University of Belgrade Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marija Sarić Matutinović
- University of Belgrade Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ivan Jančić
- University of Belgrade Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Belgrade, Serbia
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Rieux M, Alpaugh M, Salem S, Siddu A, Saint-Pierre M, Denis HL, Rohweder H, Herrmann F, Bazenet C, Lacroix S, Cicchetti F. Understanding the role of the hematopoietic niche in Huntington's disease's phenotypic expression: in vivo evidence using a parabiosis model. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 180:106091. [PMID: 36967065 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
In a previous study, we have shown that parabiotic coupling of a knock-in mouse model (zQ175) of Huntington's disease (HD) to wild-type (WT) littermates resulted in a worsening of the normal phenotype as seen by detection of mutant huntingtin protein (mHTT) aggregates within peripheral organs and the cerebral cortex as well as vascular abnormalities in WT mice. In contrast, parabiosis improved disease features in the zQ175 mice such as reduction of mHTT aggregate number in the liver and cortex, decrease in blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability and attenuation of mitochondrial impairments. While the shared circulation mediated these effects, no specific factor was identified. To better understand which blood elements were involved in the aforementioned changes, WT and zQ175 mice underwent parabiotic surgery prior to exposing one of the paired animals to irradiation. The irradiation procedure successfully eliminated the hematopoietic niche followed by repopulation with cells originating from the non-irradiated parabiont, as measured by the quantification of mHTT levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Although irradiation of the WT parabiont, causing the loss of healthy hematopoietic cells, did lead to a few alterations in mitochondrial function in the muscle (TOM40 levels), and increased neuroinflammation in the striatum (GFAP levels), most of the changes observed were likely attributable to the irradiation procedure itself (e.g. mHTT aggregates in cortex and liver; cellular stress in peripheral organs). However, factors such as mHTT aggregation in the brain and periphery, and BBB leakage, which were improved in zQ175 mice when paired to WT littermates in the previous parabiosis experiment, were unaffected by perturbation of the hematopoietic niche. It would therefore appear that cells of the hematopoietic stem cell niche are largely uninvolved in the beneficial effects of parabiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Rieux
- Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Axe neurosciences, 2705 Boulevard Laurier, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada; Département de médecine moléculaire, Université Laval, 1050 avenue de la Médecine, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Melanie Alpaugh
- Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Axe neurosciences, 2705 Boulevard Laurier, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada; Département de psychiatrie & neurosciences, Université Laval, 1050 avenue de la Médecine, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Shireen Salem
- Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Axe neurosciences, 2705 Boulevard Laurier, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada; Département de médecine moléculaire, Université Laval, 1050 avenue de la Médecine, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Alberto Siddu
- Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Axe neurosciences, 2705 Boulevard Laurier, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada; Département de psychiatrie & neurosciences, Université Laval, 1050 avenue de la Médecine, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Martine Saint-Pierre
- Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Axe neurosciences, 2705 Boulevard Laurier, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Hélèna L Denis
- Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Axe neurosciences, 2705 Boulevard Laurier, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada; Département de psychiatrie & neurosciences, Université Laval, 1050 avenue de la Médecine, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Steve Lacroix
- Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Axe neurosciences, 2705 Boulevard Laurier, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada; Département de médecine moléculaire, Université Laval, 1050 avenue de la Médecine, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Francesca Cicchetti
- Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Axe neurosciences, 2705 Boulevard Laurier, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada; Département de médecine moléculaire, Université Laval, 1050 avenue de la Médecine, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; Département de psychiatrie & neurosciences, Université Laval, 1050 avenue de la Médecine, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada.
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Guo P, Lei M, Hu S, Xu Z, Zhou Y, Zhou P, Huang R. Long-term LDR exposure may induce cognitive impairments: A possible association through targeting gut microbiota-gut-brain axis. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 249:114351. [PMID: 36508818 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.114351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Environmental and occupational low-dose radiation (LDR) exposure may be harmful for health but the previous reports regarding effect of LDR on cognition are contradictory. Here we investigated the effect of long-term LDR exposure on cognition. In this study, male Balb/c mice' cognitive functions were tested at 15 weeks after being exposed to 0.5 Gy LDR in 10 fractions at each dose of 0.05 Gy. The results demonstrated that long-term LDR exposure increases escape latency and the time spent in finding exits in mice compared with non LDR exposure. Meanwhile, the inflammation-related proteins including NFκB and p38 also increased. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) increased and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels decreased following long term LDR exposure. Treatment with microbiota-derived LPS and SCFAs reversed these effects in mice. Furthermore, the gut barrier integrity was damaged in a time-dependent manner with the decreased expression of intestinal epithelial-related biomarkers such as ZO-1 and occludin. Mechanistically, long after exposure to LDR, increased LPS levels may cause cognitive impairment through the regulation of Akt/mTOR signaling in the mouse hippocampus. These findings provide new insight into the clinical applications of LDR and suggest that the gut microbiota-plasma LPS and SCFAs-brain axis may underlie long-term LDR-induced cognition effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiyu Guo
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province 410078, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Haidian District, Beijing 100850, China.
| | - MingJun Lei
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.
| | - Sai Hu
- Department of Radiology, Xiangya Hospital, CSU, Changsha 410008, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Haidian District, Beijing 100850, China.
| | - Zi Xu
- Central South University, China.
| | - Yao Zhou
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province 410078, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Haidian District, Beijing 100850, China.
| | - Pingkun Zhou
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Haidian District, Beijing 100850, China.
| | - Ruixue Huang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province 410078, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Haidian District, Beijing 100850, China.
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