title: The zebrafish--Danio rerio--is a useful model for measuring the effects of small-molecule mitigators of late effects of ionizing irradiation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Use of zebrafish models may decrease the cost of screening new irradiation protectors and mitigators.
  
  
  METHODS
  Zebrafish (Danio rerio) models were tested for screening water-soluble radiation protectors and mitigators. Irradiation of embryos and monitoring survival, and measuring fibrosis of the caudal musculature of adults allowed for testing of acute and late effects, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Incubation of zebrafish embryos either before or after irradiation in ethyl pyruvate (1 mM) increased survival. Irradiation of adults to 15 to 75 Gy, delivered in single-fraction at 13 Gy/min, showed dose-dependent fibrosis at 30 days, quantitated as physiological decrease in swimming tail movement, and histopathological detection of collagen deposition in the dorsal musculature. Continuous administration of small-molecule radioprotector drugs in the water after irradiation reduced both acute and chronic injuries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The zebrafish is cost-effective for screening new radiation countermeasures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA.
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Epperly
authors.forename: Nathan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bahary
authors.forename: Mubina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Quader
authors.forename: Valerie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Dewald
authors.forename: Joel S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Greenberger
mesh_terms: D004999:Amifostine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D003497:Cyclic N-Oxides / Q000494:pharmacology; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; D012459:Salicylates / Q000494:pharmacology; D013113:Spin Labels; D016019:Survival Analysis; D015027:Zebrafish / Q000196:embryology / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D003497:Cyclic N-Oxides; C433928:EUK-134; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; D012459:Salicylates; D013113:Spin Labels; D004999:Amifostine; C001803:tempol