Comprehensive Dose–Response Analysis of the Effect of Ionizing Radiation on Hepatic Enzyme Parameters in a Rabbit Model

Exposure to ionising radiation may be hazardous to living beings, including humans. Ionising radiation exposure has been shown to cause hepatic dysfunction or even liver cancer in persons receiving radiation therapy who do not have liver disease. Changes in hepatic enzyme values may suggest radiation-induced stress on liver cells. Then this experimental study examined the effect of different doses of radiation on the liver enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Methods: Six equal groups of thirty-six New Zealand white rabbits weighing 3 and 5 kg each were formed. The rabbits received total body radiation doses of 0 Gy (Control group), 0.053 Gy, 0.11 Gy, 0.21 Gy, 0.42 Gy, and 0.84 Gy on days, 1, 3, and 5 and week 1, week 2, week 3, and week 4. Generalised Linear Mixed Models (GLMMs) were used to compare the data statistically. Results: There was a significant rise in the serum liver enzyme levels; aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) all showed a statistically significant time effect after the application of different radiation doses. Based on the group effect of radiation, AST and ALP, but not ALT, showed statistically significant findings.