title: Radiation esophagitis in the opossum: radioprotection with indomethacin.
abstract: Twenty-five opossums (Didelphis virginiana) were evaluated before irradiation by fiberoptic endoscopy and air-contrast barium esophagram examination. All animals received 2250 rad 60Co-irradiation in a single exposure to the entire esophagus and lower exophageal sphincter. Animals received treatment with indomethacin before and daily for 1 wk postirradiation of 16, 16-dimethylprostaglandin E2 before irradiation and every 4 hr for 24 hr postirradiation. Control animals received only injection vehicle. Acute esophagitis occurred 7--10 days postirradiation in control animals and was characterized by erythema, ulceration, and sloughing of esophageal mucosa as determined by air-contrast barium esophagram, endoscopy, and histology. Prostaglandin-treated animals showed more severe evidence of esophagitis than control animals. Indomethacin-treated animals showed no signs or only mild esophagitis posttreatment. It is concluded that indomethacin treatment may significantly reduce the severity of radiation esophagitis perhaps by blockade of prostaglandin synthesis.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes; D004941:Esophagitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D004947:Esophagus / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D005720:Gamma Rays; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D009893:Opossums; D011459:Prostaglandins E, Synthetic / Q000494:pharmacology; D011833:Radiation Injuries, Experimental; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents
chemical_list: D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes; D011459:Prostaglandins E, Synthetic; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; D007213:Indomethacin