A murine model of peripheral irradiation-induced fatigue

Fatigue is the most ubiquitous side effect of cancer treatment, but its etiology remains elusive. Further investigations into cancer-related fatigue pathobiology necessitate the expanded use of animal models. This study describes the development of a murine model of radiation-induced fatigue.

Voluntary wheel running activity measured fatigue in 5-8 week-old, male C57BL/6 mice before and after γ irradiation totaling 2400cGy (3 consecutive days×800cGy daily fractionated doses) to the lower abdominal areas. Three trials confirmed fatigue behavior at this dose. Anhedonia, body weight, and hemoglobin were also measured. Gastrointestinal, skeletal muscle, and bone marrow tissue samples were evaluated for signs of damage.

In two validation trials, irradiated mice (trial 1, n=8; trial 2, n=8) covered less cumulative distance in kilometers post-irradiation (trial 1, mean=115.3±12.3; trial 2, mean=113.6±21.8) than sham controls (trial 1, n=5, mean=126.3±5.7, p=0.05; trial 2, n=8, mean=140.9±25.4, p=0.02). Decreased mean daily running distance and speed were observed during the last four hours of the dark cycle in irradiated mice compared to controls for two weeks post-irradiation. There were no differences in saccharin preference or hemoglobin levels between groups, no effect of changes in body weight or hemoglobin on wheel running distance, additionally, histology showed no damage to muscle, bone marrow, or gastrointestinal integrity, with the latter confirmed by ELISA.

We characterized a novel mouse model of fatigue caused by peripheral radiation and not associated with anemia, weight changes, or anhedonia. This model provides opportunities for detailed study of the mechanisms of radiation-induced fatigue.