Effect of low-dose electron radiation on rat skin wound healing

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of low-dose electron irradiation on morphological features of the wound healing process in rat skin. Surgical wounds were inflicted with a 2.3 x 1.4 cm template on 84 male rats that were assigned to 4 groups: IG1, immediately irradiated; IG2, irradiated 3 days after inflicting the wound; CG1 and CG2, control groups. Rats in IG1 and IG2 groups had their wounds exposed to 1 Gy of 6 MeV electron beam radiation, immediately after surgery and on the third postoperative day, respectively. Qualitative and histophotometric evaluations of tissue repair structures were carried out. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's test (α = 0.05) and regression analysis. The repair process was delayed since the first sacrifice time in both irradiated groups, but in IG1, wound healing was closer to that of CG1; whereas in IG2, the delay was more pronounced. Based on the histological findings, it is possible to conclude that a low-dose of electron radiation delayed tissue repair in rat skin. The delay was longer in the skin irradiated 3 days after the beginning of tissue repair. However, the low-energy electron irradiation did not prevent wound healing.

Acceleration of skin wound healing by low‐dose indirect ionizing radiation in male rats

“…Platelets release platelet‐derived growth factor that induces the chemotaxis and proliferation of neurophils and macrophages [21]. Macrophages release transforming growth factor beta and cytokines that change a relatively cellular wound into a highly cellular environment [11]. Subsequently, fibroblasts actively produce collagen [11] and neutrophils remove necrotic debris and bacteria [23].…”

“…[12] have reported that low‐dose X‐ray irradiation (50 cGy) induces beneficial effects, such as the stimulation of osteoblast proliferation, differentiation, and fracture healing. Some other studies have revealed that the low‐dose X‐ray irradiation (100 cGy) is able to promote fracture healing [5,10], but the same dose of electron irradiation has adverse effects on wound healing [11]. Since the linear energy transfer (LET) of photon and that of electron beams are different from each other, we suppose that the 100 cGy dose of electron beams may be sufficient to delay rat skin repair.…”

“…In another study, the effect of low‐dose electron radiation on the wound healing process of rat skin was evaluated. The histological evaluations showed that a low dose of electron beam delayed rat skin repair [11]. Conversely, Chen et al.…”

“…They revealed that LDI with ionizing radiation might have increasing effect on fracture healing. Several investigations have been performed in the effects of low‐dose ionizing radiation on biological systems; nevertheless, compromised wound healing in irradiated tissues is a common and challenging clinical problem [10–12]. In a study, it has been indicated that the callus formation and mineralization in a rat model can be promoted by LDI at 100 cGy without being able to explain the fundamental mechanism [10].…”

“…Thus, the present study is an attempt to evaluate the systemic effects of whole‐body LDI on wound healing. In the literature, some different doses of LDI (50 cGy, 100 cGy, 75 mGy, and so on) have been examined [4,10–12]. In the current study, dose selection was carried out based on the results of the mentioned previous studies: positive or promoting effects in the case of photons (X‐ and gamma‐rays) and negative or delaying effects in the case of electrons.…”