Histological and impedance changes of skeletal muscle by whole-body critical irradiation in a rat model

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Lee, Moo Seok^a | Kim, Gyeong Rip^b | Kim, Sang Sik^c | Lee, Jong Kyu^d | Kim, Wontaek^e | Kwak, Jong Hyeok^f | Kil, Sang Hyeong^{g; *} | Kim, Gun Do^{h; *}

Affiliations: [a] Department of Nuclear Medicine, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea | [b] Department of Neurosurgery, Pusan National University Yang-san Hospital, Yang-san, Korea | [c] Electron Microscope Laboratory, Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea | [d] Department of Physics, Pukyong National University, Busan, Korea | [e] Department of Radiation Oncology, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea | [f] Department of Radiology, Pusan National University Yang-san Hospital, Yangsan, Korea | [g] Department of Nuclear Medicine, Pusan National University Yang-san Hospital, Yang-san, Korea | [h] Department of Microbiology, Pukyong National University, Busan, Korea

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding authors: Sang Hyeong Kil, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Pusan National University Yang-san Hospital, Beomeo-ri, Mulgeum-eup, Yangsan-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, Yang san 50612, Korea. Tel.: +82 55 360 1909; E-mail: rlf1007@naver.com and Gun Do Kim, Department of Microbiology, Pukyong National University, 179 Gudeok-ro, Seo-gu, Busan 49241, Korea. Tel.: +82 51 240 7390; E-mail: antjr8024@naver.com.

Abstract: In this study, the electrical resistance of the whole body and histological changes of skeletal muscle were investigated in rats according to the increase in radiation dose. A total of 15 male Sprague–Dawley rats (5-weeks-old) were randomly divided into 5 groups (each, n = 3). Each group received 1 Gy, 5 Gy, 10 Gy and 20 Gy systemic exposure, and the non-irradiated group was used as a control for morphological comparison. After attaching an electrode clip to the forelimb of the rat, an AC frequency was applied before and 4 days after irradiation using an impedance/gain-phase analyzer, and the measurement system was automatically controlled with LabVIEW. Comparing to before irradiation after 4 days, the difference in the average impedance values at 1 Gy, 5 Gy, 10 Gy, and 20 Gy was 1188±989 ohm, 3076±2251 ohm, 7650±6836 ohm, and 10478±6250 ohm, respectively. By comparing the normal group and the experimental group, muscle fiber atrophy and collagen fibers around blood vessels were observed (p < 0.05, control group vs 5 Gy or more high-dose group). These results confirmed the previously reported morphological changes of skeletal muscle and our hypothesis that whole-body impedance measurement enables to reflect tissue changes after irradiation.

Keywords: Ionizing radiation, electrical signal, collagen, histological changes

DOI: 10.3233/XST-211122

Journal: Journal of X-Ray Science and Technology, vol. 30, no. 4, pp. 697-708, 2022