Evaluation of the Effects of Radiation Therapy on Muscle Contractibility and Skin Healing: An Experimental Study of the Cancer Treatment Implications
Sarah O. M. Avelino,
Rafael M. Neves,
Leonardo A. Sobral-Silva,
Rubens N. Tango,
Claudio A. Federico,
Mariana R. C. Vegian,
Luis Augusto de Almeida-Silva,
Estela Kaminagakura,
José Benedito O. Amorim,
Luana M. R. Vasconcellos
Affiliations
Sarah O. M. Avelino
Department of Bioscience and Oral Diagnosis, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Avenida Engenheiro Francisco José Longo, 777, Jardim São Dimas, São José dos Campos 12245-001, SP, Brazil
Rafael M. Neves
Department of Bioscience and Oral Diagnosis, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Avenida Engenheiro Francisco José Longo, 777, Jardim São Dimas, São José dos Campos 12245-001, SP, Brazil
Leonardo A. Sobral-Silva
Department of Bioscience and Oral Diagnosis, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Avenida Engenheiro Francisco José Longo, 777, Jardim São Dimas, São José dos Campos 12245-001, SP, Brazil
Rubens N. Tango
Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Avenida Engenheiro Francisco José Longo, 777, Jardim São Dimas, São José dos Campos 12245-001, SP, Brazil
Claudio A. Federico
Department of Aerospace Science and Technology, Institute of Advanced Studies, Technological Institute of Aeronautics (ITA), Praça Marechal Eduardo Gomes, 50, Vila das Acacias, São José dos Campos 12228-615, SP, Brazil
Mariana R. C. Vegian
Department of Bioscience and Oral Diagnosis, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Avenida Engenheiro Francisco José Longo, 777, Jardim São Dimas, São José dos Campos 12245-001, SP, Brazil
Luis Augusto de Almeida-Silva
Department of Bioscience and Oral Diagnosis, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Avenida Engenheiro Francisco José Longo, 777, Jardim São Dimas, São José dos Campos 12245-001, SP, Brazil
Estela Kaminagakura
Department of Bioscience and Oral Diagnosis, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Avenida Engenheiro Francisco José Longo, 777, Jardim São Dimas, São José dos Campos 12245-001, SP, Brazil
José Benedito O. Amorim
Department of Bioscience and Oral Diagnosis, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Avenida Engenheiro Francisco José Longo, 777, Jardim São Dimas, São José dos Campos 12245-001, SP, Brazil
Luana M. R. Vasconcellos
Department of Bioscience and Oral Diagnosis, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Avenida Engenheiro Francisco José Longo, 777, Jardim São Dimas, São José dos Campos 12245-001, SP, Brazil
Background: Radiotherapy can affect healthy cells, resulting in side effects. This study aimed to assess the impact of radiotherapy on soft tissue in surgical wounds in rats. Methods: The animals were divided into four groups: control (S) group without irradiation, immediate irradiation (S-IIr) group receiving irradiation right after surgery, late irradiation (S-LIr) group receiving irradiation four weeks after surgery, and early irradiation (Ir-S) group receiving irradiation before surgery. The irradiated groups underwent two fractional stages of 15 Gy. Muscle contractibility (EMG) was evaluated at two different time points, and after 2 and 7 weeks, the animals were euthanized for histological analysis of the muscles and skin. Results: There was no significant difference between the EMG1 and EMG2 values of the S and S-LIr groups, but both S-IIr and Ir-S groups exhibited a statistically significant difference. The S group demonstrated a larger diameter of muscle fiber compared to other groups, showing a significant difference. In terms of skin analysis, the S-IIr group had the least inflammatory infiltrate and the highest amount of red fibers, differing significantly from the other groups. Conclusions: Regardless of the duration, radiotherapy was found to have effects on the surrounding soft tissues, as concluded by this study.
