Experimental study on radioactive dermatitis induced by 60Co γ rays in Wistar rats

Abstract

Wistar rats were irradiated with different doses of 60Co γ rays to establish models of radioactive dermatitis to exploring the development of their characteristics and rules. Twenty-six Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: normal control (NC) (n=6) , rad 30 Gy (n=10), and rad 45 Gy (n=10) groups. The rad 30 Gy and 45 Gy groups received a single dose of local irradiation to the buttocks, respectively. Changes in irradiated skin, body weights, and skin blood flow were observed on the 7 th, 14 th, 21 st, 28 th, 35 th, 45 th, and 60 th day after irradiation. Irradiated skin tissue samples were collected for H&E staining on the 60 th day to analyze the resultant pathological changes. Compared to the NC group, the rad group suffered distinct degrees of skin injury, which were severe on the 21 st day, followed by gradual recovery. Skin blood flow of the buttocks in erythematous hyperemia and early healing were increased, whereas its decrease in ulcers necrose and late healing. H&E staining demonstrated epidermal thickening and increase in the number of squamous epithelial cells in the rad 30 Gy group and marked epidermal thicking and dermal inflammatory cell infiltration in the rad 45 Gy group. Better model of radioactive dermatitis may be obtained by using rad 45 Gy 60Co γ rays on the skin of the buttock of Wistar rats for a singe dose of local radiation.

Keywords

• 60co γ rays
• radiation-induced skin injury
• wistar rats