The effect of human cord blood therapy on the intestinal tract of lethally irradiated mice: Possible use for mass casualties

Purpose: To evaluate the recovery of the gastrointestinal tract in lethally irradiated mice treated with human cord blood and antibiotics.Materials and methods: A/J mice were randomly assigned to seven study groups, including groups exposed to acute 9 Gy from 137Cs γ-rays to the whole body. Four hours after irradiation, exposed mice were treated with either cord blood nucleated cells, Levaquin, or a combination of both. Weight gain/loss and survival were monitored for 2 months. Upon death or euthanasia, the organs were prepared for molecular and histological analyses.Results: Whereas irradiated mice (n = 9) lived 6–15 days, ∼ 60% of irradiated mice that received the combined treatment (n = 7) survived more than 50 days. None of the treated animals developed Graft versus Host disease. All animals lost weight after irradiation; however, the 50+ days-survivors (n = 4) gained on average ∼1.8 g over their initial weight. Whereas hemorrhagic bone marrow and large areas of transmural necrosis were observed in th...