Histopathological comparison of topical therapy modalities for acute radiation proctitis in an experimental rat model

AIM： To evaluate the prevalent topical therapeutic modalities available for the treatment of acute radiation proctitis compared to formalin. METHODS： A total of 120 rats were used. Four groups （n = 30） were analyzed with one group for each of the following applied therapy modalities： control, mesalazine, formalin, betamethasone, and misoprostol. A single fraction of 17.5 Gy was delivered to each rat. The rats in control group rats were given saline, and the rats in the other three groups received appropriate enemas twice a day beginning on the first day after the irradiation until the day of euthanasia. On d 5, 10, and 15, ten rats from each group were euthanized and a pathologist who was unaware of treatment assignment examined the rectums using a scoring system. RESULTS： The histopathologic scores for surface epithelium, glands （crypts） and lamina propria stroma of the rectums reached their maximum level on d 10. The control and formalin groups had the highest and mesalazine had the lowest, respectively on d 10. On the 15^th d, mesalazine, betamethasone, and misoprostol had the lowest scores of betamethasone. CONCLUSION： Mesalazine, betamethasone, and misoprostol are the best topical agents for radiation proctitis and formalin has an inflammatory effect and should not be used.

Mesenchymal stem cell therapy for acute radiation syndrome: Innovative medical approaches in military medicine

After a radiological or nuclear event, acute radiation syndrome(ARS) will present complex medical challenges that could involve the treatment of hundreds to thousands of patients. Current medical doctrine is based on limited clinical data and remains inadequate. Efforts to develop medical innovations that address ARS complications are unlikely to be generated by the industry because of market uncertainties specific to this type of injury. A prospective strategy could be the integration of cellular therapy to meet the medical demands of ARS. The most clinically advanced cellular therapy to date is the administration of mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs). Results of currently published investigations describing MSC safety and efficacy in a variety of injury and disease models demonstrate the unique qualities of this reparative cell population in adapting to the specific requirements of the damaged tissue in which the cells integrate. This report puts forward a rationale for the further evaluation of MSC therapy to address the current unmet medical needs of ARS. We propose that the exploration of this novel therapy for the treatment of the multivariate complications of ARS could be of invaluable benefit to military medicine.

Mesenchymal stem cell therapy for acute radiation syndrome

Acute radiation syndrome affects military personnel and civilians following the uncontrolled dispersal of radiation,such as that caused by detonation of nuclear devices and inappropriate medical treatments.Therefore,there is a growing need for medical interventions that facilitate the improved recovery of victims and patients.One promising approach may be cell therapy,which,when appropriately implemented,may facilitate recovery from whole body injuries.This editorial highlights the current knowledge regarding the use of mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of acute radiation syndrome,the benefits and limitations of which are under investigation.Establishing successful therapies for acute radiation syndrome may require using such a therapeutic approach in addition to conventional approaches.

Efficacy and safety of berberine in the prophylactic treatment of acute radiation proctitis in postoperative patients with cervical cancer:a randomized controlled study

Objective The aiom of this study was to study the efficacy and safety of berberine as a prophylactic treatment of acute radiation proctitis in postoperative patients with cervical cancer.Methods A total of 120 postoperative patients with cervical cancer were enrolled between July 2016 and October 2019,and randomly divided into a treatment group(berberine 300 mg three times a day,n=60)and a control group(receiving vitamin C tablets,100 mg three times a day;n=60)using the random number table method.All patients received pelvic intensity-modulated radiation therapy(IMRT)and concurrent sensitizing chemotherapy weekly.The difference in the percentage of irradiation volume to the rectum and small intestine as well as the incidence,onset time,severity,and duration of acute radiation proctitis and cystitis during radiotherapy were compared between the two groups.The completion rate,completion time,number of chemotherapy sessions,and quality of life during radiotherapy were also compared.Results There were no statistical differences in age,FIGO stage,pathological type,complications,highrisk factors,and rectum and small intestine irradiation dose distribution(V20,V30,V40,and V50)between the two groups(P>0.05).No acute radiation proctitis of grade 3 or above occurred in the two groups.There was no significant difference in the incidence of acute radiation cystitis,grade 2 acute radiation proctitis,completion rate of IMRT,and frequency of sensitization chemotherapy between the two groups.After prophylactic treatment with berberine,the incidence of grade 1 acute radiation proctitis,occurrence of grade 1 radiation proctitis,and completion time of radiotherapy in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The SF-36 score of the treatment group after radiotherapy was 67.53±4.21,which was significantly better than that of the control group(64.90±6.32;P<0.05).The incidence of grade 3-4 neutropenia in the treatment group was 10%and lower than that in the control group(31.7%,P=0.003).No adverse reactions related to berberine were observed.Conclusion Prophylactic prescription with oral berberine can reduce the incidence,onset time,and duration of grade 1 acute radiation proctitis,and improve the quality of life of postoperative patients with cervical cancer receiving concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

Effects of Ligustrazine on Bone Marrow Microvessel Systemin the Early Period of Acute Radiation Injury in Mice

Sublethally irradiated mice were immediately treated with 250 mg/kg Ligustrazine Phosphiatis intraperitoneally twice a day for seven days, and the bone marrow sections of ulna were observed. On the 5th day, the number of bone marrow microvessels of the Ligustrazine group was much greater than that of the control group. On the 7th day, the amount of the control group decreased to normal, while the ligustrazine group was still increasing, and the microvessel area was enlarged obviously. The percentage of the hematopoietic tissue volume in bone marrow between the two groups had no significant difference in the first 7days. On the 7th day after irradiation, the peripheral neutrophilic granulocytes increased in the Ligustrazine group- The results suggested that early use of Ligustrazine after acute radiation injury might improve the blood supply of bone marrow, and be helpful for recovery of hematopoiesis.

Study on Oxygen Supply and Protection of Bone Marrow in Acute Radiation injured Mice

After irradiated by & Gy 60Co γ-ray, mice were intraperitoneally injected immediately with 0.2 ml 100 % compound blood-activating soup twice a day for 10 days. The in situ ulnar bone marrow partial pressure of oxygen (PbO2) was determined in vivo before, during and after irradiation respectively. The bone marrow sections in the same part were observed. Our results showed that the normal murine ulnar PbO2 was 12.72±1. 05kpa. During irradiation, the level of PbO2 decreased to 10. 78±1. 17 kpa (P＜0. 001). And 3 days after irradiation, PbO2 decreased to 9. 75±0. 52 kpa, suggesting that the commonly used 'blood-activating and stasis-eliminating' Chinese drugs could promote the rehabilitation and proliferation of bone marrow microvessels in the acute radiation injured mice, expand their areas, increase the oxygen supply of bone marrow microenviroment, thereby leading to PbO2 much higher increase than that of control group. It is also helpful in the proliferation and rehabilitation of hematopoietic cells.

Study on the Protective Effects of Compound Blood-activating Soup on Bone Marrow Hematopoietic Cells in Acute Radiation Injured Mice

After irradiation with 8 Gy 60Coγ-ray,mice were immediaterly given intraperitoneal injection of 200 mg 100 % compound blood-activating soup twice a day. On the 3rd and 7th day, the P53 gene expression of bone marrow hematopoietic cells in Chinese drug group was found to be higher than that in normal group, and it was also significantly higher than that in control group. The expression level of GADD153 gene which was not expressed in normal group was much lower in Chinese drug group than that in control group. On the 7th day after irradiation, the P53 and GADD153 gene expression levels of splenic mononuclear cells were consistent with those of bone marrow hematopoietic cells both in Chinese drug group and control group. On the 3rd and 7th day, the bone marrow hematopoietic tissue volume in Chinese drug group was higher than that in control group, with no difference found between the two groups. While on the 14th day, the difference became significant (P＜0. 01). The results showed that commonly used blood-activating and stasis-eliminating drugs may strengthen .the viability of hematopoietic cells and promote the rehabilitation of hematopoiesis by inducing wt-P53 expression to block the bone marrow hematopoietic cells in G1 phase, during which DNA could be repaired.

Effect of BMPs on hematopoietic injury of acute radiation sickness in mice

Objective: To investigate the effect of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) on hematopoietic injury of acute radiation sickness in mice. Methods: Mice were subjected to whole-body 60Co γ ray irradiation, then bpBMP was put into spatium intermusculare or rhBMP-2m, PBK/ hBMP-2 -NIH3T3 cells were injected into abdominal cavity. The effect of BMPs on hematopoiesis including some hematological parameters, the survival rate of 30 d and formation of bone marrow CFU-GM colony were detected at postradiation. Results: pbBMP (purified bovine bone morphogenetic protein) increased the formation of bone marrow CFU-GM colony (P<0. 05) on d 10 after irradiation. rhBMP-2m increased the survival rate of mice irradiated by 7. 5 Gys Mice in control group died in 30 days, while 10%, 15% and 35% mice survived when they were injected i. p. with 0. 5 mg, 1. 0 mg and 2. 0 mg of rhBMP-2m respectively. All hematological parameters of treated mice were significantly higher than those of control group (P<0. 01). PBK/ hBMP-2 -NIH3T3 cells were established and transplanted into mice irradiated by 7. 0 Gy γ ray with i. p. . The survival ratio of treated mice was higher than that of negative control group (P<0. 01), and all hematopoietic parameters were increased statistically significantly (P<0. 01). Conclusion: Results indicate that in adult mice, BMPs can recover or treat the hematopoietic injury of acute radiation sickness, the mechanism may be related with repairing of hematopoietic injury.

Effect of Ligustrazine on Expressions of Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor and Its Receptor in Bone Marrow of Mice with Acute Radiation Injury

Objective: To study the expressions of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and its receptor (bFGFR) in bone marrow of mice with acute radiation injury, and to evaluate the effect of Ligustrazine (Lt) on them. Methods: Fifty-six Kunming mice of clean grade were randomly divided into 3 groups, the normal group, the control group and the Lt group. Mice in the latter two groups were once homogeneously systemic irradiated with 6.0 Gy of 60 Co, with the absorption dose rate of 0. 56 Gy/min, then treated with saline (0.2 ml/ mice) or Lt (2 mg/mice) respectively, twice a day through gastrogavage for successive 13 days. Mice were sacrificed in batch on the 3rd, 7th and 14th day by cervical dislocation to collect the bilateral femoral bone marrow for preparing bone marrow mono-nuclear cell (BMMNC) suspension. The bFGFR expression on surface of BMMNC was determined by flow cytometry; and the bFGF expres-sion level in one side of femoral bone marrow tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry with SABC-AP assay. Results: The bFGF expression in bone marrow of mice on the 3rd, 7th and 14th day after acute radiation injury all were significantly lower than that of the normal mice (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The expressions of bFGF and bFGFR in the Lt group detected were significantly higher than that in the control group detected at the corresponding time points (P<0.05 or P < 0.01). Conclusion:By way of enhancing bFGF expression in bone marrow and bFGFR expression on surface of BMMNC to accelerate the repairing of hemopoietic micro-environment in bone marrow might be one of the mechanisms of Lt in promoting hemopoietic function reconstitution after acute radiation injury.Original article on CJITWM (Chin) 2004;24(5):439

Observation on the Therapeutic Effects of Qingre Shengji Ointment(清热生肌膏)on Acute Radiation Dermatitis After Modified Radical Mastectomy

Objective:To observe the curative effect of Qingre Shengji Ointment(清热生肌膏)on acute radiation dermatitis caused by radiotherapy after modified radical mastectomy.Methods:100 patients with radiotherapy after modified radical mastectomy in our hospital from June 2019 to December 2020 were randomly divided into treatment group and control group,with 50 cases in each group.The treatment group was given Qingre Shengji Ointment(清热生肌膏)on the basis of routine nursing,and the intervention began until one week after radiotherapy,while the control group was given routine nursing.Observe and record the occurrence time of acute radiation dermatitis,the degree of acute radiation dermatitis,changes of skin erythema,pruritus,pain,changes of interleukin-6(IL-6)and curative effect were evaluated.The degree of dermatitis was evaluated by RTOG grading standard,the erythema was evaluated by TCM symptom score,and pruritus and pain were evaluated by visual analogue scale(VAS).Blood routine,liver and kidney function,electrocardiogram and other safety indicators and adverse reactions were recorded before and after the study.Results:The time of acute radiation dermatitis was 6-11 days(median 8 days)in the treatment group and 8-14 days(median 10 days)in the control group(P<0.01).The degree and probability of acute radiation dermatitis in the treatment group were 82%(41/50)in grade I,16%(8/50)in grade II and 2%(1/50)in grade III.The degree and probability of acute radiation dermatitis in the control group were 54%(27/50)in grade I,40%(20/50)in grade II and 6%(3/50)in grade III(P<0.05).The highest TCM symptom score of skin erythema in the treatment group was lower than that in the control group(P<0.01).The results of generalized estimation equation show that,The VAS scores of pruritus and pain were(1.34±0.01)and(2.08±0.02)(Waldχ^(2)=1198.123,P<0.01)in the treatment group and(2.08±1.74)(Wald^(2)=1547.804,P<0.01)in the control group,respectively.Compared with the control group,the VAS scores of pruritus and pain were(1.14±0.01)and(2.08±1.74)(Wald^(2)=1547.804,P<0.01)in the treatment group.After observation,the curative effect of the treatment group was better than that of the control group(P<0.05),and the subjective symptoms of patients were obviously improved.After treatment,the level of IL-6 in the treatment group was significantly lower than that before treatment,and was lower than that in the control group(P<0.01).Conclusion:Qingre Shengji Ointment(清热生肌膏)can prevent and treat acute radiation dermatitis to some extent,and its mechanism may be to inhibit the release of inflammatory cytokines,reduce the degree of dermatitis,improve the quality of life of patients,and its safety is good.VAS score can subjectively evaluate the changes of itching and pain,and it is easy to use,so it is worthy of clinical application.

Clinical Evaluation of Yangyin Qingre Shengji Decoction(养阴清热生肌汤)in Preventing and Treating Acute Radiation Esophagitis

Objective:To explore the prevention and treatment effect of Yangyin Qingre Shengji Decoction(养阴清热生肌汤)on acute radiation esophagitis.Methods:From May 2020 to February 2021,60 patients with malignant tumor who underwent radiotherapy were selected as the research objects.They were divided into two groups by odd and even number drawing,30 cases in the control group and 30 cases in the observation group.The control group took mixed solution orally,while the observation group took Yangyin Qingre Shengji Decoction.The clinical effects,occurrence time,duration,grading of acute radiation esophagitis and TCM syndrome scores of dry mouth and constipation were compared between the two groups.Results:The effective rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group(P<0.05);Compared with the control group,the time of acute radiation esophagitis was prolonged and the duration of symptoms was shortened in the observation group(P<0.05);The incidence of above gradeⅡin the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group,and the incidence of below gradeⅠwas significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.05);There was no significant difference in the scores of dry mouth and constipation between the two groups before treatment(P>0.05),the scores of the two groups were decreased after treatment,and the observation group was lower than the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Yangyin Qingre Shengji Decoction(养阴清热生肌汤)has a positive effect on prevention and treatment of acute radiation esophagitis in patients with malignant tumor undergoing radiotherapy,which can be popularized.

Safety and Efficacy of Qingre Buyi Decoction(清热补益煎剂)in the Treatment of Acute Radiation Proctitis:A Prospective,Randomized and Controlled Trial

Objective:To investigate the efficiency,safety,and possible mechanisms of Qingre Buyi Decoction(清热补益煎剂,QBD)in the treatment of acute radiation proctitis(ARP).Methods:This study was a single center,prospective,single blind,randomized,and placebo-controlled clinical trial.A total of 60 patients with ARP was equally and randomly distributed into the control group(conventional treatment)and the combination group(conventional treatment plus QBD).The changes of main Chinese medicine clinical symptoms and signs,in...

Clinical and Experimental Study on Prevention and Treatment of Acute Radiation Injury in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients by Yiqi Huoxue Yangyin Recipe (益气活血养阴方)

Objective: To observe the effect of Chinese herbal medicine in alleviating acute toxic adverse effect of radiotherapy and on growth of stromal cells in bone marrow. Methods: Seventy two patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) were randomly divided into two groups. Radical radiotherapy was applied to both groups. In the radiotherapeutic period, to the 36 patients in the treated group, Yiqi Huoxue Yangyin Recipe (YHYR) was given additionally by oral taking and compressing on radiation area, and to the 36 patients in the control group, vitamin B 12 solution was given for gargling or compressing. Experimental study was carried out in rats of two groups, irradiated with 5.0 Gy X ray and treated with YHYR or normal saline intraperitoneally, to observe the colony forming unit fibroblastoid (CFU F) in cultured bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC), taken from the rats at different time.Results: The oral mucomembranous radiation damage occurred in 47.2% of the treated group when the dose of radiation reached to 41.4±9.4 Gy, while in the control group, it was 91.7% when the dose reached to 30.9±8.9 Gy. The skin radiation damage occurrence rate in the two groups was 13.9% and 33.3% respectively when the dose of radiation reached to 50.2±5.6 Gy and 43.2±6.3 Gy respectively. Comparison of the two groups showed significant difference ( P <0.01), the radiation damage was significantly slighter in the treated group. Experimental study showed that the rats in the two groups were significantly different in occurrence and degree of bone marrow function inhibition, P <0.01. The numbers of CFU F in cultured BMSC of radiation damaged rats taken at respective different culture time were also significantly different between the two groups, P < 0.01 .Conclusion: YHYR could significantly reduce acute radiation damage of mucomembrane and skin, alleviate the inhibition on bone marrow function, and eliminate the injury of radiation on BMSC.

Acute Toxicity of Three Dimensional Conformal Concurrent Chemoradiation with Dose Optimization for External Beam Radiation in Carcinoma Cervix—A Prospective Study

Aim: To prospectively evaluate the acute toxicity of 3D conformal radiotherapy with dose optimization in patients with carcinoma cervix. Materials and Methods: Carcinoma cervix patients stage IIB to IIIB (n = 30) treated during November 2011 to May 2013 at the institution with 3D conformal chemo-radiation were included in the study. They received weekly Cisplatin 40 mg/m2 for a maximum of 5 cycles. They received 46 Gy/23 fractions, 5 fractions per week of external beam radiation. In these patients dose optimization was done in order to achieve a tumor maximum dose (Dmax) around 105%. Various techniques were used for dose optimization which included the use of sub fields, adjusting the weightages, using wedges and the use of mixed energies. EBRT (External Beam Radiotherapy) was followed by two fractions of high dose rate intracavitary brachytherapy of 9 Gy each. Acute RTOG toxicity was assessed weekly during EBRT and 1 week post EBRT. Results: The median age of the patients was 45 (range: 30 - 55 years). All the patients completed EBRT;63.3% of the patients received all 5 cycles of chemotherapy while 26.6% of the patients received 4 cycles of chemotherapy and 10% of the patients received 3 cycles of chemotherapy. The most predominant toxicity seen was GI toxicity, diarrhea being the most common GI toxicity followed by vomiting. Neutropenia was the most common hematological toxicity. Most patients had grade 0 and grade 1 toxicity. None of the patients had grade 4 toxicity while few had grade 2 and 3 toxicity. Conclusion: 3D conformal concurrent chemo radiotherapy with Dmaxaround 105% reduces acute RTOG toxicity particularly grade 3 and 4 and improves patient compliance for concurrent chemo-radiotherapy.

Estimation of radiation-induced health hazards from a“dirty bomb”attack with radiocesium under different assault and rescue conditions

In the case of a terrorist attack by a“dirty bomb”,blast injuries,external irradiation and the incorporation of radioactivity are to be expected.Departing from information about the radiological attack scenario with cesium-137 in the U.S.National Scenario Planning Guide,we estimated the radiological doses absorbed.Similar calculations were performed for a smaller plume size and a detonation in a subway.For conditions as described in the U.S.scenario,the committed effective dose amounted to a maximum of 848 mSv,even for very unfavorable conditions.Red bone marrow equivalent doses are insufcient to induce acute radiation sickness(ARS).In the case of a smaller plume size,the ARS threshold may be exceeded in some cases.In a subway bombing,doses are much higher and the occurrence of ARS should be expected.The health hazards from a dirty bomb attack will depend on the location and the explosive device.The derived Haddon matrix indicates that preparing for such an event includes education of all the medical staff about radiation effects,the time lines of radiation damages and the treatment priorities.Further determinants of the outcome include rapid evacuation even from difficult locations,the availability of a specific triage tool to rapidly identify victims at risk for ARS,the availability of an antidote stockpile and dedicated hospital beds to treat seriously irradiated victims.

The effects of low-dose splenic irradiation and radiotherapy on immune system of patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Objective： The aim of the research was to study the effects of low-dose splenic irradiation and radiotherapy on immune system of patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC）. Methods： Twelve cases of stage III NSCLC in Tumor Radiotherapy Center of our hospital （the Affiliated Hospital of Medical College Qingdao University, China） were collected from July 2011 to July 2012; all patients were under 75 years old with clear pathology, measurable lesions and good personal statement. They were randomly divided into combined treatment group （D1 ＋ D2） and control group （D1）. The control group （D1） only received radiotherapy to the chest; combined treatment group （D1 ＋ D2） received low-dose splenic irradiation plus conventional dose irradiation. Flow cytometry was used to detect the peripheral blood T lymphocyte immune indexes of patients before, during and after the treatment, classification by five blood cell analyzer was used to determine white blood cells, neutrophils, hemoglobin and platelet count. The radiation induced toxicity including esophagitis, pneumonia and gastrointestinal reaction was observed, as well as the dose when it happened. Results： There was no significant difference in the ratio between two groups in cells CD4＋, CD8＋ and CD4＋/CD8＋ after radiotherapy （P 〉 0.05）. There was no change in these indicators in combined treatment group after treatment （P 〉 0.05）, but it decreased in control group （P 〈 0.05）. There was no significant difference in the incidences of radiation esophagitis, pneumonia, gastrointestinal reactions and bone marrow suppression between two groups （P 〉 0.05）, but the patients in combined treatment group seemed to tolerate high dose well （P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion： Low-dose splenic irradiation combined with radiotherapy to the chest can alleviate the injury degree of acute radiation induced the toxicity of locally advanced NSCLC patients, through affect the patient＇s immune function.

Injectable bone marrow microniches by co-culture of HSPCs with MSCs in 3D microscaffolds promote hematopoietic reconstitution from acute lethal radiation

Hematopoietic syndrome of acute radiation syndrome(h-ARS)is an acute illness resulted from the damage of bone marrow(BM)microenvironment after exposure to radiation.Currently,the clinical management of h-ARS is limited to medication-assisted treatment,while there is still no specific therapy for the hematopoietic injury from high-dose radiation exposure.Our study aimed to assemble biomimetic three-dimensional(3D)BM microniches by co-culture of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells(HSPCs)and mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)in porous,injectable and viscoelastic microscaffolds in vitro.The biodegradable BM microniches were then transplanted in vivo into the BM cavity for the treatment of h-ARS.We demonstrated that the maintenance of HSPCs was prolonged by co-culture with MSCs in the porous 3D microscaffolds with 84μm in pore diameter and 11.2 kPa in Young’s modulus compared with 2D co-culture system.Besides,the minimal effective dose and therapeutic effects of the BM microniches were investigated on a murine model of h-ARS,which showed that the intramedullary cavity-injected BM microniches could adequately promote hematopoietic reconstitution and mitigate death from acute lethal radiation with a dose as low as 1000 HSPCs.Furthermore,the mRNA expression of Notch1 and its downstream target gene Hes1 of HSPCs were increased when co-cultured with MSCs,while the Jagged1 expression of the co-cultured MSCs was upregulated,indicating the significance of Notch signaling pathway in maintenance of HSPCs.Collectively,our findings provide evidence that biomimetic and injectable 3D BM microniches could maintain HSPCs,promote hematopoiesis regeneration and alleviate post-radiation injury,which provides a promising approach to renovate conventional HSPCs transplantation for clinical treatment of blood and immune disorders.

A novel traditional Chinese medicine combination for radiation

Objective:To formulate an efficacious radioprotective combination of Chinese medicines with minimal toxicity.Methods:Aqueous and alcoholic extracts from 38 traditional Chinese herbs were prepared.To produce drugcontaining sera,rats received six doses of each extract via oral gavage at 12-h intervals.Subsequently,human lung epithelial BEAS-2B cells were cultured in these drug-containing sera.The cell viability was assessed after different doses of irradiation to identify the radioprotective effects of Chinese herbal extracts.The efficacy of a selected Chinese herbal extract combination was further confirmed through cell viability analysis via in vitro colony formation and survival rate assessments in C57BL/6 mice post-irradiation.Results:Extracts from Angelicae Sinensis Radix(ASR;two extracts),Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium(CRP),Platycladi Cacumen(PC),Schisandrae chinensis Fructus(SF),Scutellariae Radix(SR),and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizome(GRR)demonstrated radioprotective effects.The combination of the seven Chinese herbal extracts notably increased the survival and viability of the BEAS-2B cells exposed to varying doses of X-rays.Moreover,the group of mice receiving Chinese medicine combination and irradiation exhibited prolonged survival after exposure to 6.5 Gy Xrays with a median survival of(14=2)d compared to(11=2)d in the irradiated group without the herbal treatment.Additionally,the Chinese medicine combination group displayed a significantly higher 28 d survival rate(30%)compared to the irradiation-only group(16.6%,P<0.05).Conclusion:The novel combination of Chinese herbal extracts from ASR,CRP,PC,SF,SR,and GRR has the potential for radiation protection applications.

Follow-up of two victims of a 60Co-source radiation accident in 1986, Kaifeng, Henan Province, China

Objective:To explore the late effects of acute radiation exposure through the follow-up of two victims of a 60Cosource radiation accident,who suffered moderate acute radiation sickness of bone marrow type.Methods:On May 26,1986,a power failure occurred suddenly at an irradiation plant in Kaifeng,Henan Province,China,during which two workers at the site,named Liang and Yan,accidentally entered the 60Co-source irradiation cell in service.Long-term medical observations were carried out on them following the accident.Results:The late effects of the accident on Liang and Yan were observed.The main manifestations of Liang were hypomnesia and visual impairment.A typical radiation-induced cataract developed 2 years after exposure.Local cutaneous radiation injury and resultant five operations were performed within a period of five years after exposure.The decrease in the number and low viability of his sperms was found 1 year after exposure.The decrease in his leukocytes and platelets occurred during 1–5 years after exposure.He died from intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma 21 years after exposure.For Yan,the main manifestations included headache,dizziness,fatigue,insomnia,and susceptibility to cold just after exposure.She had intermittent menolipsis at age 41.The leukocytes was fluctuating in the range of(3.1–3.9)109/L 14–24 years after exposure.A decrease in estradiol(reproductive hormone)and an increase in follicle-stimulating hormone were observed.Thyroid nodules were detected by thyroid ultrasound 21 years after exposure.She died from acute myeloid leukemia(AML)32 years after exposure.Conclusions:Follow-up of victims exposed to a high activity radiation source should focus on the organs sensitive to radiation and on the radiation-induced carcinogenesis.