The aim of the present study was to investigate the injuries of spleen and intestinal immune system induced by 2 Gy 60Co γ ray in mice.A total of 120 Balb/c mice were randomly divided into two groups: blank control (Ctrl) and model (IR). The IR mice were exposed to a single dose of total body irradiation (2 Gy, dose rate: 1 Gy/min) and sacrificed on 1st, 3rd, 7th, 14th and 21st day after irradiation. The indicators including general observations and body weight, the changes in peripheral hemogram, spleen index, histopathology examination and lymphocyte subsets of spleen. As well as the count and subsets of lymphocyte in gut-associated lymphoid tissue.Compared with the Ctrl group, the body weight, spleen index, peripheral blood cell and splenocyte amounts, intraepithelial lymphocytes number decreased significantly after exposure, accompanied by a notable decreased count of lymphocytes in Peyer's patch and mesenteric lymph nodes. Moreover, ionizing radiation also broke the balance of CD4+/CD8+ and increased the Treg proportion in spleen, which then triggered immune imbalance and immunosuppression. In general, the spleen injuries occurred on 1st day after exposure, worse on 3rd day, and were relieved on 7th day. The intestinal immune injuries were observed on 1st day, and attenuated on 3rd day. On 21st day after exposure, the spleen volume and index have returned to normal, except for the distribution of lymphocyte subpopulations. Furthermore, all indicators of gut-associated lymphoid tissue, except for mesenteric lymph nodes lymphocyte count, had returned to normal levels on 21st day.In conclusion, our data showed the injuries of spleen and intestinal immune system induced by 2 Gy 60Co γ ray whole-body irradiation. These findings may provide the bases for further radiation protection in the immunity.

The intestinal tract is an essential component of the body's immune system, and is extremely sensitive to exposure of ionizing radiation. While ionizing radiation can effectively induce multiple forms of cell death, whether it can also promote ferroptosis in intestinal cells and the possible interrelationship between ferroptosis and intestinal immune function has not been reported so far. Here, we found that radiation-induced major ultrastructural changes in mitochondria of small intestinal epithelial cells and the changes induced in iron content and MDA levels in the small intestine were consistent with that observed during cellular ferroptosis, thus suggesting occurrence of ferroptosis in radiation-induced intestinal damage. Moreover, radiation caused a substantial increase in the expression of ferroptosis-related factors such as LPCAT3 and ALOX15 mRNA, augmented the levels of immune-related factors INF-γ and TGF-β mRNA, and decreased the levels of IL-17 mRNA thereby indicating that ionizing radiation induced ferroptosis and impairment of intestinal immune function. Liproxstatin-1 is a ferroptosis inhibitor that was found to ameliorate radiation-induced ferroptosis and promote the recovery from immune imbalances. These findings supported the role of ferroptosis in radiation-induced intestinal immune injury and provide novel strategies for protection against radiation injury through regulation of the ferroptosis pathway.

OBJECTIVE:Yiqi Jiedu (YQJD) decoction is a Chinese herbal prescription, based on an experienced expert of traditional Chinese medicine. It is used for the injuries caused by radiotherapy. The current study was designed to investigate the protective effects of YQJD decoction on radiation damage of testis in mice, and to explore its potential mechanisms. METHODS:Mice were randomly divided into blank control group (Ctrl), model group (IR), positive drug group (IRA), and YQJD decoction group (IRY). After 10-day period intervention, they were whole-body irradiated with 2 Gy 60Co γ-rays and sacrificed on 7th day after irradiation. The indicators including the index and histopathology examination of testis, spermatogenic cell types and apoptosis, and the expression of TLR5, MyD88, NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-6 and Bcl-2 in testis. RESULTS:The testis atrophied significantly on 7th day of exposure to radiation, while YQJD decoction promoted the recovery of testis index and structure. Moreover, spermatogenic cell types and apoptosis had significant changes after irradiation. YQJD decoction protected the testicular function of spermatogenesis, as while as reduced the apoptosis rate of spermatogenic cells. In addition, RT-PCR and immunohistochemical analysis showed that YQJD decoction up-regulated the expression of TLR5 in testis. The levels of TLR5's downstream factors were also up-regulated in YQJD decoction group, which indicated that TLR5 signaling pathway might play an important role in the protective effects of YQJD decoction. CONCLUSIONS:The results showed that YQJD decoction attenuated irradiation induced testis injury in mice. Its potential mechanism was related to TLR5 signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE:To study the intervention effects of Radix Hedysari, Radix Astragalus and compatibility of Angelica Sinensis on blood deficiency model mice induced by cyclophosphamide (CTX).METHODS:The mice were randomly divided into 7 groups, 10 mice each group. The blood deficiency model was established by CTX. The blank group and model group were treated with saline by gavage, while mice in positive group were administered with Lvjiaobuxue granule. Four dosage group were administered with Radix Hedysari, Radix Hedysari-Radix Angelica Sinensis(5:1), Radix Astragalus and Radix Astragalus-Radix Angelica Sinensis(5:1) water decoction. All the drugs were administered to mice for consecutive 7 d. The contents of red blood cell (RBC), lymphocyte(LYM), hematocrit (HCT), white blood cell (WBC), platelet (PLT) were detected by hematology analyzer, while thymus index(TI), spleen index(SI), reticulocyte (RC), marrow karyocyte (MK) were calculated, and the femur by pathological section were observed by microscope.RESULTS:Compared with blank group, the contents of RBC, WBC, HCT, PLT, LYM were decreased in model group (P<0.05). Compared with model group, the contents of RBC, WBC, HCT, PLT, LYM, RC and marrow karyocyte were increased in Hedysari-Angelica Sinensis(5:1) and Astragalus Angelica Sinensis(5:1) (P<0.05), at the same time, the pathological damage of femur could be improved.CONCLUSIONS:The effect of enrichment blood on blood deficiency model mice in Hedysari-Angelica Sinensis (5:1) and Astragalus-Angelica Sinensis(5:1) were superior to Hedysari and Astragalus.