Fig 1.
18F-FDG uptake of the gastrointestinal tract is greater in 7.5 Gy whole body irradiated and upper half body shielded animals when compared to sham.
Reconstructed PET/CT images showing 18F-FDG uptake (top) and corresponding hematoxylin and eosin-stained intestine sections (bottom) of sham (A), 7.5 Gy whole body irradiated (B), and upper half body shielded (C) animals 5 days post radiation exposure.
Fig 2.
Direct radiation exposure to gastrointestinal tract can be detected with PET/CT imaging.
Graph of mean standard uptake value of 18F-FDG in the gastrointestinal tract 5 days post irradiation. A significant increase is observed in 7.5 whole body irradiated and upper half shielded groups compared to sham group. Data shown mean ± standard deviation; *P<0.05, †P<0.01, ‡P<0.001.
Table 1.
Villus Length at 5 Days Post irradiation.
Fig 3.
Metabolic activity in bone marrow is lower at the higher radiation dose.
Reconstructed PET/CT images showing 18F-FDG uptake of (A) sham, (B) 4 Gy and (C) 7.5 Gy whole body irradiated animals 5 days post radiation exposure.
Fig 4.
Impact of radiation on bone marrow is dose dependent.
Graph of mean standard uptake value of 18F-FDG in the bone marrow with significant decrease in activity in 7.5 Gy whole body irradiated group compared to sham group 5 days post radiation exposure. Data shown mean ± standard deviation; ‡P<0.001.
Fig 5.
Radiation exposure leads to loss of hematopoietic cells, loss of structure and noticeable hemorrhaging with degree of damage scaling with dose.
Hematoxylin and eosin images of (A) sham, (B) 4 Gy and (C) 7.5 Gy whole body irradiated animals 5 days post radiation exposure.
Fig 6.
Metabolic activity in bone marrow recovers post irradiation when animals are shielded.
Reconstructed PET/CT images showing 18F-FDG uptake of upper half body shielded animals at (A) 5 (B) 10 and (C) 35 days post radiation exposure.
Fig 7.
Recovery in the metabolic activity of the gastrointestinal tract coincides with that of the bone marrow activity.
Graph of mean standard uptake value of 18F-FDG in the gastrointestinal tract and bone marrow of upper half body shielded at 5, 10 and 35 days post radiation exposure, showing full recovery of both tissues by day 35. Data shown as mean ± SD; *P<0.05, ‡P<0.001 compared to sham animals.