Radiation-induced non-targeted effect in vivo: Evaluation of cyclooygenase-2 and endothelin-1 gene expression in rat heart tissues

AIM: In this study, we investigated expression levels of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) genes after pelvis and heart irradiation in a rat model. These factors are involved in heart diseases (HDs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used seven groups, including two groups of pelvic irradiation, two groups of whole body irradiation, two groups of heart irradiation, and one control nonirradiated group. Pelvis irradiations were conducted at a 2 cm × 2 cm in the pelvis area. Irradiation condition conducted using 1.25 MeV cobalt-60 gamma-rays (30 cGy/min). The changes at ET-1 and COX-2 gene expressions in heart tissue after pelvis and heart irradiation were measured and compared to the control and whole body irradiation groups at 24 h and 72 h after the exposure. RESULTS: In heart irradiation groups, 3-fold up-regulation of both ET-1 and COX-2 was observed. In pelvis irradiation groups, 3-fold up-regulation of ET-1 was seen, but not significant changes in COX-2 gene expression have observed at distant heart tissues after pelvis irradiation. CONCLUSION: This study reveals that nontargeted effect induced by radiation may be considered as an important phenomenon for induction of HD after radiotherapy.