Protective effect of hypoxia against radiation induced fibrosis in the rat gut

The protective effect of hypoxia, induced by degradable microspheres, against the development of fibrosis was investigated after single-dose irradiation of exteriorized rat ileum. Evaluation, based upon microscopy and analysis of hydroxyproline in protected and nonprotected gut segments, demonstrated an evident protective effect at doses of 15 to 25 Gy.