Objective To investigate radiation-induced alternations of phospholipids in epithelial cells,and to provide experimental evidence for understanding the mechanism of radiation-induced intestinal injury.Methods The intestinal epithelial cells(IEC-6)in rats were divided into three groups:normal control group,8 Gy X-ray irradiation group and 12 Gy X-ray irradiation group.Phospholipids were extracted at 6 h or 24 h after radiation and then measured by high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry(HPLC-MS).Results At 6 h after radiation,the phospholipids in 8 Gy irradiation group didn't vary significantly,while those in 12 Gy irradiation group changed.The PG,PI and Lyso PC were significantly up-regulated(F=5.37,9.60,9.88,P<0.05).However,at 24 h after radiation,many PE and PG species in both irradiation groups declined(F=5.15-99.77,P<0.05)and SM species increased in 12 Gy irradiation group(F=4.35-7.92,P<0.05).Conclusions The ionizing radiation could disorder phospholipid metabolism in IEC-6 cells with a dose-dependent manner.