Long-term effects of total-body irradiation on the kidney of Rhesus monkeys.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the long-term effects of total-body irradiation (TBI) on kidneys in non-human primates.


METHODS
The kidneys of Rhesus monkeys were histologically examined at 6-8 years after TBI with low single doses of 4.5-8.5Gy or two fractions of 5.4Gy. The kidneys of age-matched non-irradiated monkeys served as controls. Irradiation was performed on adult monkeys aged about 3 years; 6-8 years later animals were sacrificed and the kidneys removed and processed for histology. A semi-quantitative scoring system was used to evaluate overall histological damage. Glomerular changes were also morphometrically analysed according to previously published criteria. In selected dose groups (pro)thrombotic and inflammatory changes were investigated by immunostaining cryosections with antibodies against von Willebrand factor (vWF), leukocytes and macrophages.


RESULTS
Histological changes were generally mild and only seen in kidneys irradiated with doses higher than 7 Gy. Glomerular changes were characterized by increased mesangial matrix and capillary dilatation. Tubulo-interstitial changes included hypercellularity, fibrosis and mild tubular atrophy. The mean glomerular area expressing vWF protein in the irradiated kidneys was not different from that in the age-matched controls. Numbers of infiltrating leukocytes were not significantly different between irradiated kidneys and controls. However, slightly increased numbers of macrophages were present in the renal cortex after irradiation.


CONCLUSIONS
Renal damage after TBI of Rhesus monkeys with single doses of 4.5-8.5 Gy or two fractions of 5.4 Gy was mild, even after follow-up times of 6-8 years.
van Kleef
E M
EM
Division of Experimental Therapy, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam.
Zurcher
C
C
Oussoren
Y G
YG
Te Poele
J A
JA
van der Valk
M A
MA
Niemer-Tucker
M M
MM
van der Hage
M H
MH
Broerse
J J
JJ
Robbins
M E
ME
Johnston
D A
DA
Stewart
F A
FA
D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000528:radiation effects; D000818:Animals; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005260:Female; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007668:Kidney / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000528:radiation effects; D007684:Kidney Tubules / Q000528:radiation effects; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors; D014916:Whole-Body Irradiation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014965:X-Rays; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis
D014841:von Willebrand Factor