OBJECTIVETo investigate the injuries of intestinal mitochondria induced by different doses of whole-body radiation in Tibet minipigs.

METHODSEighteen Tibet minipigs were randomized into 5 radiation groups (n=3) and a control group (n=3). The minipigs in the radiation groups were subject to a total body X-ray radiation at 2, 5, 8, 11, or 14 Gy, and 72 h after the exposure, the mRNA expressions of the intestinal mitochondrial genes were examined using RT-PCR. The changes in the respiratory chain complexes I-IV and the respiratory functions of succinate and NADH were assayed, and the intestinal ultrastructures were observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) following the exposures.

RESULTSCompared with those in the control group, the expression levels of the related mitochondrial genes, the activities of the respiratory chain complexes and the function of the respiratory chain were significantly lowered in the radiation groups. At the doses below 8 Gy, the exposures caused significant reduction in the measurements as the radiation doses increased, but at higher doses, these measurements showed no further reductions. Ultrastructurally, exposures at 2 and 5 Gy caused mitochondrial expansion and mild reduction of the density, whereas radiation at 8 Gy or greater resulted in vacuolar changes and obvious expansion of the mitochondria with damages of the mitochondrial cristae and membranes.

CONCLUSIONBelow the doses of 8 Gy, intestinal mitochondrial damages in the minipigs increase with the radiation dose, but at higher doses, the damages do not further increase with the radiation dose.