Journal of Radiation Research and Radiation Proces ›› 2018, Vol. 36 ›› Issue (5): 50202-050202.doi: 10.11889/j.1000-3436.2018.rrj.36.050202

• RADIOBIOLOGY AND RADIOMEDICINE • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effects of gamma-ray irradiation on cognitive function and neuronal death in mice

NAI Aitao1, WANG Zhen2, TANG Liyun1, WAN Wei2, LIU Zhenghai2, XU Yang3, AI Xiaohong1, HE Shuya4, CAO Wenyu2   

  1. 1. Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China;
    2. Clinical Anatomy & Reproductive Medicine Application Institute, Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China;
    3. Department of Physiology, Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China;
    4. Department of Radiation Medicine, School of Public Health, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
  • Received:2018-05-24 Revised:2018-07-11 Online:2018-10-20 Published:2018-10-29
  • Supported by:

    Supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province, China (2018JJ3460, 2018JJ4034), the Foundation of Education Department of Hunan Province, China (14A125, 17B230), the Start-up Funds for Doctors in the University of South China (2015XQD27, 2015XQD28), and the Scientific Research Innovation Project for Postgraduate student of Hunan Province in 2018

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Abstract:

Fifty-seven female Kunming mice aged 2 months received full-body irradiation once with 137Cs γ-rays at doses of 0, 4, 6, 8, and 10 Gy. The survival rate and body weight were then observed for 35 d. The animals' behaviors were analyzed using open-field and novelty location tests 35 d post irradiation. The expression of the neuronal marker NeuN in hippocampus was determined using western blot. The results showed that the mice in the 4 Gy group exhibited a higher survival rate and superior general status than did those in the other groups. Compared with the control group, the mice in the 4 and 6 Gy groups had a lower discrimination index in the novelty location test (36.04%±4.39% vs. 11.45%±6.34% vs. -1.40%±9.27%, respectively, p<0.05), and had a remarkably lower level of NeuN expression in hippocampus (1.000±0.045 vs. 0.795±0.052 vs. 0.332±0.024, respectively, p<0.05). Meanwhile, the mice in the 6 Gy group exhibited more serious cognitive dysfunction and neuronal death than did those in the 4 Gy group. The mice in the 8 and 10 Gy groups showed a higher death rate than those in the 4 and 6 Gy groups. However, no significant difference in survival rate was found between the mice in the 4 and 6 Gy groups. Our results suggest that 137Cs γ-ray irradiation can induce cognitive dysfunction and neuronal death in a dose-dependent manner at a dose of <6 Gy.

Key words: Ionizing radiation, γ-rays, Cognitive function, Neuron

CLC Number: 

  • R818.74
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