Radiation-Induced Atherosclerotic Plaque Progression in a Hypercholesterolemic Rabbit

Ionizing Radiation Accelerates the Development of Atherosclerotic Lesions in ApoE−/− Mice and Predisposes to an Inflammatory Plaque Phenotype Prone to Hemorrhage

“…Thoracic lesions were smaller in irradiated mice, but aortic root lesions were significantly larger. 20 Pakala et al 15 also identified a vulnerable plaque phenotype in rabbits after localized irradiation. Rabbits were fed a hypercholesterolemic diet, and the iliac arteries were denuded with a balloon catheter before exposure of one artery to intravascular radiation to 15 Gy.…”

“…[11][12][13][14][15] However, the mechanisms involved are not fully understood, and it is not known whether this process represents the same etiology as age-related atherosclerosis. A review of clinical records from United States Army personnel irradiated for mediastinal malignancies concluded that radiation-induced intimal plaque was similar to classical atherosclerotic coronary disease, although medial thinning and adventitial fibrosis were more prominent after irradiation.…”

Stem Cell Therapies for the Treatment of Radiation-Induced Normal Tissue Side Effects

“…Animal data are supported by clinical studies that demonstrate regional perfusion defects in non-symptomatic breast cancer patients at 6 months to 5 years after radiotherapy (4,47). Radiation also predisposes to the formation of inflammatory, unstable atherosclerotic lesions, which are prone to rupture and may cause a fatal heart attack (155,191).…”

Mechanisms and dose-response relationships for radiation-induced cardiovascular disease

“…Proliferation of myofibroblasts is also stimulated by the production of inflammatory cytokines, resulting in a further reduction of the arterial lumen. Radiation doses 8 Gy increase the number and size of atherosclerotic lesions in major arteries and predispose to the formation of macrophage-rich, unstable plaque, rather than stable collagenous plaque (Vos et al, 1983;Tribble et al, 1999;Pakala et al, 2003;Stewart et al, 2006;Hoving et al, 2008). Such lesions are more likely to rupture and cause a fatal heart attack or stroke.…”