title: Keratinocyte growth factor pretreatment prevents radiation-induced intestinal damage in a mouse model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Radiation-induced gastrointestinal syndrome is usually severe in clinical practice. Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) plays an important role in the intestinal mucosal growth and repair of intestinal injury. This study was to investigate the effects of KGF on radiation-induced intestinal damage, especially the barrier dysfunction, in a mouse model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adult C57BL/6J mice were randomized into three groups: normal control, irradiation group, and KGF-treated group. Mice in the later two groups received irradiation with a dose of 6 Gy from Co-60 source. In the KGF-treated group, KGF was intraperitoneally given once daily (5 mg/kg/day) for 5 consecutive days before irradiation. Mice were killed at 3 days after irradiation and the small bowel was collected for histology. Epithelial cell proliferation was studied by immunohistochemistry for proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Claudin-1 and ZO-1 expressions were determined by western blot assay and immunohistochemistry. Epithelial barrier function was assessed with transepithelial resistance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  KGF significantly promoted the recovery of mucosa from radiation-induced injury demonstrated by mucosal histology, villus height, crypt depth, and crypt cell proliferation. KGF also improved the disrupted distribution of tight junction proteins and the epithelial barrier dysfunction after irradiation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  KGF pretreatment could improve radiation-induced intestinal injury including the epithelial structure and function in a mouse model.
authors: Department of General Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
authors: Yujiao
authors: Y
authors: Cai
authors: Wensheng
authors: W
authors: Wang
authors: Hongying
authors: H
authors: Liang
authors: Lihua
authors: L
authors: Sun
authors: Daniel H
authors: DH
authors: Teitelbaum
authors: Hua
authors: H
authors: Yang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D015153:Blotting, Western; D062445:Claudin-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D051523:Fibroblast Growth Factor 7 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011833:Radiation Injuries, Experimental / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D014916:Whole-Body Irradiation; D062826:Zonula Occludens-1 Protein / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D062445:Claudin-1; C496454:Fgf7 protein, mouse; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; C569043:Tjp1 protein, mouse; D062826:Zonula Occludens-1 Protein; D051523:Fibroblast Growth Factor 7