Open AccessAn Investigation of the Mechanisms of Radiation-Induced Muscle Injury in a Tree Shrew (Tupaia belangeri) Model
Author(s) -
Pengcheng Zhao,
Wei Xia,
Jianglian Wei,
Yiwei Feng,
Mao Xie,
Zhijie Niu,
Heng Liu,
Shenghui Ke,
Huayu Liu,
Anzhou Tang,
Guobin He
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
dose-response
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.502
H-Index - 36
ISSN - 1559-3258
DOI - 10.1177/15593258221082878
Subject(s) - immunohistochemistry , medicine , pathology , hdac4 , pathological , biology , anatomy , andrology , histone , histone deacetylase , biochemistry , gene
Background Animal models suitable for investigating mechanisms behind radiation-induced muscle injury are lacking. We developed a tree shrew model of such injury and investigated pathological changes and mechanisms.Methods Animals were divided into control (n = 5), radiation-induced acute injury (n = 5), and radiation-induced chronic injury (n = 5) groups. Tensor veli palatini (TVP) muscles of acute injury and chronic injury groups were dissected under a microscope at 1 and 24 weeks after radiation therapy, respectively. TVP muscles were stained with HE and Masson to visualize pathological changes. ELISA was performed to measure oxidative injury. RT-qPCR and immunohistochemical staining was performed to measure expression levels of miR-206 and histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4).Results Compared to the control group, acute injury group showed a significant decrease in miR-206 expression (.061 ± .38, P < .05) and a significant increase in HDAC4 expression (37.05 ± 20.68, P < .05). Chronic injury group showed a significant decrease in miR-206 expression (.23 ± .19, P < .05) and a significant increase in HDAC4 expression (9.66 ± 6.12, P < .05).Discussion A tree shrew model of radiation-induced muscle injury was established by exposing TVP muscle region to radiation of 20-Gy. Experimental results indicated that injury caused by radiation persisted despite gradual healing of the TVP muscle and miR-206 regulatory pathway plays a key role in regulating radiation-induced muscle injury.