PLoS ONE (Jan 2024)
Effects of moderate doses of ionizing radiation on experimental abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Abstract
BackgroundExposure to ionizing radiation has been linked to cardiovascular diseases. However, the impact of moderate doses of radiation on abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) remains unknown.MethodsAngiotensin II-infused Apoe-/- mice were irradiated (acute, 1 Gray) either 3 days before (Day-3) or 1 day after (Day+1) pomp implantation. Isolated primary aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were irradiated (acute 1 Gray) for mechanistic studies and functional testing in vitro.ResultsDay-3 and Day+1 irradiation resulted in a significant reduction in aorta dilation (Control: 1.39+/-0.12; Day-3: 1.12+/-0.11; Day+1: 1.15+/-0.08 mm, PConclusionModerate doses of ionizing radiation mitigate AAA either through VSCM phenotype or inflammation modulation, depending on the time of irradiation.