Whole-body irradiation transiently diminishes the adrenocorticotropin response to recombinant human interleukin-1{alpha}
- Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Bethesda, MD (United States)
- Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Washington, DC (United States)
Recombinant human interleukin-1{alpha} (rhIL-1{alpha}) has significant potential as a radioprotector and/or treatment for radiation-induced hematopoietic injury. Both IL-1 and whole-body ionizing irradiation acutely stimulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. We therefore assessed the interaction of whole-body irradiation and rhIL-1{alpha} in altering the functioning of the axis in mice. Specifically, we determined the adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and corticosterone responses to rhIL-1{alpha} administered just before and hours to days after whole-body or sham irradiation. Our results indicate that whole-body irradiation does not potentiate the rhIL-1{alpha}-induced increase in ACTH levels at the doses used. In fact, the rhIL-1{alpha}-induced increase in plasma ACTH is transiently impaired when the cytokine is administered 5 h after, but not 1 h before, exposure to whole-body irradiation. The ACTH response may be inhibited by elevated corticosterone levels after whole-body irradiation, or by other radiation-induced effects on the pituitary gland and hypothalamus. 36 refs., 3 figs.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 81202
- Journal Information:
- Radiation Research, Journal Name: Radiation Research Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 141; ISSN 0033-7587; ISSN RAREAE
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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