Effects of X-ray FLASH irradiation and conventional-dose-rate irradiation on radiation-induced injury to the brain tissue of mice
10.3760/cma.j.cn112271-20250710-00244
- VernacularTitle:X射线FLASH照射与常规剂量率照射对小鼠脑组织辐射损伤的影响
- Author:
Yuanxu WANG
1
;
Jinhua LI
;
Yufeng TANG
Author Information
1. 电子科技大学医学院，成都 610000
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
FLASH irradiation;
Ultra-high dose rate;
Cognitive function
- From:
Chinese Journal of Radiological Medicine and Protection
2025;45(11):1069-1076
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To evaluate the effects of FLASH irradiation(FLASH-RT) and conventional irradiation (CONV-RT) on radiation-induced injury to the brain tissue of healthy mice using a domestically developed X-FLASH platform.Methods:Ninety healthy 8-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into sham irradiation(Sham) group, CONV-RT group, and FLASH-RT group, with 30 mice in each group. A single dose of 20 Gy whole-brain radiotherapy was administered, with a dose rate of 339 Gy/s for FLASH radiotherapy and 0.067 Gy/s for conventional radiotherapy. The effects of different radiotherapy modalities on neurological function and neuroinflammation were assessed using water maze test, open field test, Nissl staining, and immunohistochemical analysis (GFAP, Iba-1).Results:There were significant differences in body weight between the CONV group and the FLASH group at 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 24 d after radiotherapy ( q=2.82-5.31, P<0.05). At 4 months after radiotherapy, there were significant differences between the FLASH group and the CONV group in escape latency, platform crossings, central zone crossings, and Thigmotaxis distance ratio ( q=3.72, 2.92, 3.28, 2.97, P<0.05). Quantitative Nissl staining result revealed significant differences between the CONV group and the FLASH group in the CA3 and DG regions ( q=3.61, 3.21, P<0.05), but not in the CA1 region ( P>0.05). Immunohistochemical result showed a significant difference between the CONV group and the FLASH group in the percentage of GFAP + positive area ( q=2.28, P<0.05), but not in the number of Iba-1 + cells ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Compared to conventional radiotherapy, X-FLASH radiotherapy causes less radiation-induced injury to the brain tissue, thus holding a promising prospect for clinical translation.
