Altered motility causes the early gastrointestinal toxicity of irradiation

Journal Article · Tue Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1994 · International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0360-3016(94)90111-2· OSTI ID:6581718

Erickson, B A; Moulder, J E; Otterson, M F; Sarna, S K ^[1]

---

1. Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI (United States)

This article reviews studies of large and small intestinal contractile activity following radiation exposure. Studies of motility utilize strain gauge transducers surgically implanted on the seromuscular layer of the small intestine. All studies were performed in mixed breed dogs to record the occurrence of normal contractions, giant migrating contractions (GMCs) and retrograde giant contractions (RGCs) before, during and after irradiation (22.5 Gy in 9 fractions at 3 fractions/week). Giant migrating contractions and retrograde giant contractions are infrequent in the healthy state. However, in diseased states, GMCs are associated with abdominal cramps and diarrhea, and RGCs precede vomiting. In fasted animals, fractionated abdominal irradiation dramatically increased the frequency of GMCs, with the incidence peaking after the second dose. The increased frequency of GMCS occurred as early as a few hours after the first radiation fraction, and returned to normal within days of cessation of radiation. RGCs were also significantly increased after abdominal irradiation. The frequency of RGCs was greatest on the first and sixth dose of radiation. Clinically, the dogs developed nausea, vomiting and diarrhea as early as the first day of irradiation. In dogs studied in the fed state, decreased amplitude, duration, and frequency of postprandial contractions occurred. These changes may slow intestinal transit during irradiation. Radiation also produced a striking increase in the frequency of colonic GMCs; these changes in colonic motor activity were associated with diarrhea as early as the second irradiation. Changes in GI motility during fractionated irradiation precede the appearance of histopathological lesions in the GI tract. Thus, the symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea experienced during radiotherapy (particularly those within the first week) are directly related to changes in bowel motility. 41 refs., 7 figs., 1 tab.

• OSTI ID: 6581718
• Journal Information: International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics; (United States), Vol. 28:4; ISSN 0360-3016
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
DOGS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
LARGE INTESTINE
RADIOTHERAPY
SIDE EFFECTS
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
INTESTINES
MAMMALS
MEDICINE
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOLOGY
THERAPY
VERTEBRATES
560152* - Radiation Effects on Animals- Animals