An Update on Dynamic Changes in Cytokine Expression and Dysbiosis Due to Radiation Combined Injury
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The complexity of adverse responses from radiation injury (RI) followed by physical trauma, namely, radiation combined injury (RCI), is unique and more pronounced than either insult alone due to a poor understanding of the integration of these insults at the molecular/cellular/tissue and/or organ levels. It was shown that mice receiving 60Co γ-photon RCI with wounding had a lower LD50/30 than RI alone. This survival synergism was observed in bone marrow and the gastrointestinal system, as evidenced by an increase in γ-H2AX expression in bone marrow cell DNA, loss of circulatory blood cells, elevation of serum cytokine concentration, and activation of nuclear factor-κB/inducible nitric oxide synthase, and an earlier onset of bacterial infection and sepsis after RCI than after RI was detected. Dysbiosis (imbalance of the gut microbiota) was observed. There remains a pressing need for both prophylactic countermeasures and therapeutic remedies to deal with RCI threats. Investigations of how RCI can affect this important network of communication between the gut microbiota and other organs, including the brain, lung, heart, liver, kidney, and skin, could lead to new and critical interventions and prevention strategies. This review provides an update on new RCI animal models, dynamic changes in cytokine expression, dysbiosis, as well as links between the gut microbiome and other organs after RCI.
Authors: Juliann G. Kiang, Georgetta Cannon
Institution: Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Language: English
Subfield: Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,499
OpenAlex ID: W4415614203