Exploring the optimal dose of low ionizing radiation to enhance immune function: a rabbit model

Abstract

Primary liver cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in China. Currently, immunotherapy for liver cancer is a research hotspot. Experimental studies and epidemiological investigations have confirmed the antineoplastic activity of low ionizing radiation. The aim of this study was to explore the optimal dose of low ionizing radiation to enhance immune function. Twenty-five New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into five groups (n = 5 each): experimental group 1 (25 mGy), experimental group 2 (50 mGy), experimental group 3 (75 mGy), experimental group 4 (100 mGy), and the control group (0 mGy). VX-2 tumor tissue was injected into rabbits using a high-frequency B-ultrasound probe (3.5 MHz). Rabbits were irradiated, and on day 4 after irradiation, blood was collected from each rabbit. Blood chemistry, interleukin (IL)-4, interferon (IFN)-γ, immunoglobulin (Ig)G, and IgM levels were assessed. On day 15 after irradiation, macrophage phagocytic function was assessed. The rabbits were sacrificed, and the spleen was removed and weighed to calculate its spleen index. Each parameter was highest in the experimental group 3 (75 mGy). Thus, we suspect the optimal low ionizing radiation dose to improve immune function may be 75 mGy.

Potential role of gut microbiota-LCA-INSR axis in high fat-diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver dysfunction: From perspective of radiation variation

“…Recent studies have shown that cancer patients with obesity have a higher radiotherapy resistance in clinical settings ( Sabol et al, 2020 ), indicating that a HFD-related life style is not only a risk factor associated with many diseases but may also play a role in the development of diseases combined with other environmental factors. Radiation exposure, a common environmental physical factor known for its double-edged ability to provide beneficial or non-beneficial outcomes, is used in medical diagnosis or therapy and can improve the liver immune function at low radiation doses ( Zhang et al, 2021a ). However, there is also a risk of oxidative liver damage after frequent high doses of radiotherapy ( Sharma et al, 2021 ).…”