Cytoprotective effect of prostaglandin E2 in irradiated rat ileum

Radiation injury to the gastrointestinal tract is an infrequent but major clinical problem. Results of previous studies have shown that prostaglandins provide cytoprotection of the gastrointestinal mucosa against a variety of noxious agents, although, prior to this study, the protection against radiation exposure had not been documented. Exteriorized segment of Sprague-Dawley rat ileum was radiated with 10 and 15 Gy (137Cs). One group of rats was pretreated with prostaglandin E2 one hour before and 24 hours after radiation injury. The rats were sacrificed three and five days following radiation injury. Morphometric measurement of mucosal thickness, villous height, crypt of Lieberkühn height and number of mitosis per square millimeter swath of tissue were analyzed. Also, 125IUdR and 3HTdR were injected in a group of rats radiated with 15 Gy (137Cs). 125IUdR counts per minute per milligram of dry weight and 3HTdR labeled cells were counted and analyzed. The morphometric measurements and radioactive labeled tissue counts suggest that prostaglandin E2 has a cytoprotective effect upon irradiated rat ileum. Speculations about the possible mechanism and usefulness of this observation are included.