Modification of late radiation damage in the rectum of rats by deproteinized calf blood serum (ActoHorm) and pentoxifylline (PTX).
OBJECTIVE
Prevention and treatment of radiation-induced late rectal ulcer using deproteinized calf blood serum (ActoHorm) or pentoxifylline.


METHODS
Rectal ulcers were induced in Wistar rats using single X-ray doses of 20, 22 and 24 Gy. ActoHorm or pentoxifylline were given at various times after irradiation. The induced rectal damage was assessed by clinical examination, rectoscopy and histology of the post-mortem specimens.


RESULTS
Neither ActoHorm nor pentoxifylline affected the incidence or latency or had any pronounced effect on healing of late rectal ulcers. Histological examination showed increased regenerative activity of the mucosal epithelium in all ActoHorm treated animals.


CONCLUSIONS
Neither ActoHorm nor pentoxifylline prevented the development of radiation-induced rectal ulcers. The stimulation of mucosal epithelium with ActoHorm might, however, be effective in healing of superficial erosions of the intestinal mucosa.
Tamou
S
S
Department of Radiation Biology, St. Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College, London, United Kingdom.
Trott
K R
KR
D000183:Actihaemyl; D000818:Animals; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010431:Pentoxifylline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011833:Radiation Injuries, Experimental / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D012007:Rectum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D013997:Time Factors; D014456:Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology
D001798:Blood Proteins; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; C088695:deproteinized calf blood serum; D000183:Actihaemyl; D010431:Pentoxifylline