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Ionizing radiation exposure alters coronary and cardiac function
Author(s) -
Kuo Maggie,
Abraham Theodore P,
Shoukas Artin A,
Berkowitz Dan E
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.lb672
Subject(s) - medicine , dobutamine , contractility , cardiology , vasodilation , coronary artery disease , adenosine , endothelial dysfunction , coronary vasodilator , artery , adenosine triphosphate , cardiac function curve , hemodynamics , heart failure
Radiation‐associated coronary artery disease is a significant side effect of cancer radiotherapy. Several studies have shown elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in the vasculature and impaired endothelial function after ionizing radiation (IR) exposure. Increased ROS levels and resulting oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction are precursors to coronary artery and other cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of this study is to describe the effects of IR exposure on coronary artery and myocardial function. Rats were exposed to 5Gy gamma radiation. Coronary function was evaluated through drug‐induced vasodilatation response in vivo using high‐resolution transthoracic echocardiography. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine, and dobutamine were administered intravenously to characterize endothelial‐mediated and smooth muscle‐mediated vasorelaxation. Dobutamine was also used to evaluate cardiac function. 5Gy rats exhibited increased resting coronary tone along with attenuated ATP, adenosine, and dobutamine‐induced vasodilatation. 5Gy rats also had smaller end‐diastolic and end‐systolic diameters but higher contractility. Data support that IR exposure results in coronary vascular dysfunction with myocardial compensation.