Evaluation of Gamma Radiation-Induced Biochemical Changes in Skin for Dose Assesment: A Study on Small Experimental Animals

Objective Researchers have been evaluating several approaches to assess acute radiation injury/toxicity markers owing to radiation exposure. Keeping in mind this background, we assumed that whole-body irradiation in single fraction in graded doses can affect the antioxidant profile in skin that could be used as an acute radiation injury/toxicity marker. Methods Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with CO-60 gamma radiation (dose: 1-5 Gy; dose rate: 0.85 Gy/minute). Skin samples were collected (before and after radiation up to 72 hours) and analyzed for glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and lipid peroxidation (LPx). Results Intra-group comparison showed significant differences in GSH, GPx, SOD, and CAT, and they declined in a dose-dependent manner from 1 to 5 Gy ( P value r value: 0.3-0.5). LPx value increased ( P value r value: 0.3-0.5) as the dose increased, except in 1 Gy ( P value>0.05). Conclusions This study suggests that skin antioxidants were sensitive toward radiation even at a low radiation dose, which can be used as a predictor of radiation injury and altered in a dose-dependent manner. These biochemical parameters may have wider application in the evaluation of radiation-induced skin injury and dose assessment. ( Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness . 2018;page 1 of 6).