Short-term inhibition of ADP-induced platelet aggregation by clopidogrel ameliorates radiation-induced toxicity in rat small intestine.
Endothelial dysfunction and increased platelet aggregation may be involved in the pathogenesis of normal tissue radiation toxicity. This study assessed clopidogrel, an inhibitor of ADP-induced platelet aggregation, as a modulator of intestinal radiation injury (radiation enteropathy). Rat small intestine was exposed to 21 Gy X-radiation. Clopidogrel (20 mg/kg/day) or vehicle was administered from 2 days before to 10 days after irradiation. Structural radiation injury, neutrophil infiltration, smooth muscle cell proliferation, collagen content, and TGF-beta1 expression were assessed 2 weeks (early phase) and 26 weeks (delayed phase) after irradiation, using quantitative histology and immunohistochemistry, morphometry, and real-time fluorogenic probe RT-PCR. Irradiated intestine exhibited significant histopathologic injury, reduced mucosal surface area, vascular sclerosis, intestinal wall fibrosis, increased collagen content, and increased TGF-beta1 expression. Clopidogrel reduced ADP-induced platelet aggregation by 93% and significantly attenuated the severity of post-radiation vascular sclerosis (p = 0.004 and p = 0.02) and the loss of mucosal surface area (p = 0.0008 and p = 0.003) at both 2 and 26 weeks. Clopidogrel also ameliorated overall histopathologic injury (p = 0.02), relative intestinal collagen content (p = 0.03), and collagen III immunoreactivity levels 2 weeks after irradiation, and caused a borderline reduction in the radiation-induced increase in extracellular matrix-associated TGF-beta immunoreactivity at 26 weeks (p = 0.04). The effects of clopidogrel on steady-state TGF-beta1 mRNA levels and neutrophil infiltration were not statistically significant. Short-term clopidogrel administration affords protection against early and, to a lesser extent, delayed radiation enteropathy. Modulation of platelet aggregation should be subject to further studies as a potential method to increase safety and efficacy of radiation therapy.
Wang
Junru
J
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, USA.
Albertson
Christopher M
CM
Zheng
Huaien
H
Fink
Louis M
LM
Herbert
Jean-Marc
JM
Hauer-Jensen
Martin
M
D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002634:Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / Q000187:drug effects; D000077144:Clopidogrel; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D004751:Enteritis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D005355:Fibrosis; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008297:Male; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000473:pathology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000473:pathology; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects*; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011833:Radiation Injuries, Experimental / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013988:Ticlopidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D013997:Time Factors; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1
D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C508962:Tgfb1 protein, rat; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate; D003094:Collagen; D000077144:Clopidogrel; D013988:Ticlopidine