Protective effect of corticosteroids on radiation pneumonitis in mice

Journal Article · Thu Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1987 · Radiat. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3577184· OSTI ID:5379928

Gross, N J; Narine, K R; Wade, R

We explored the protective effect of corticosteroids on the mortality of mice that received thoracic irradiation. Methylprednisolone, 100 mg/kg/week, given from 11 weeks after gamma irradiation of the thorax resulted in an increase in the LD50 (11-26 weeks) from 14.3 +/- 0.3 (mean +/- SE) Gy to 17.6 +/- 0.4 Gy, P less than 0.001, a protection factor of 1.2. Withdrawal of steroids at various times during the period of radiation pneumonitis resulted in accelerated mortality in the next 2-4 weeks, so that the cumulative mortality caught up with that of control animals by 4 weeks after steroid withdrawal. However, after the end of the usual period of pneumonitis withdrawal of steroids did not result in accelerated mortality, suggesting that the time when steroids are protective corresponds to the duration of pneumonitis. A smaller dose of steroids, 25 mg/kg/week, was found to be as protective as the larger dose used in the above experiments. The possibility that corticosteroids reduce mortality, even when given many weeks after radiation, may have important practical and theoretical implications.

• Research Organization: Hines Veterans Administration Hospital, IL (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5379928
• Journal Information: Radiat. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Radiat. Res.; (United States) Vol. 113:1; ISSN RAREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560152* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Animals
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ADRENAL HORMONES
ANIMALS
CORTICOSTEROIDS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
GAMMA RADIATION
HORMONES
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
KETONES
MAMMALS
MICE
MORTALITY
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PNEUMONITIS
PREGNANES
RADIATIONS
RADIOINDUCTION
RADIOSENSITIVITY EFFECTS
RODENTS
STEROID HORMONES
STEROIDS
VERTEBRATES