Oxidative Stress and Endothelial Dysfunction in the Development of Simulated Radio-Induced Lung Damage and their Correction with Pulmonary Surfactant

Abstract

Radiation exposure to the chest organs used in the complex treatment of neoplasms is often accompanied by the development of radiation pneumonitis, fibrosis and respiratory failure.The aim of the study was to evaluate oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction in radio-induced lung damage and possibility of their correction with a pulmonary surfactant preparation.Material and methods. Lung tissue samples of 82 male Wistar rats were investigated in the study. Single local irradiation of animals was performed with the X-ray RUM-17 unit at a dose 12 Gy. The quantitative content and fractional composition of phospholipids of pulmonary surfactant were determined in the study. Oxidative stress was detected using Raman spectroscopy, endothelial dysfunction was detected immunohistochemically.Results. Oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction were registered starting from the first day of the experiment, and manifested by an increased content of free radicals and a decrease in endothelial function indices supported by precise spectroscopic, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic methods. With application of Surfactant-BL preparation oxidative stress manifestations were eliminated to the beginning of the intermediate stage of the experiment, and were preserved without correction until its completion.Conclusions. Three-fold intratracheal administration of a pulmonary surfactant preparation implements an antioxidant, immunomodulatory and compensating effect attenuating the alterative effect of oxidative stress and its initiating impact on the development of endothelial dysfunction. Native surfactant having a pronounced effect on all components of the lung tissue including alveolocytes of the first and second types and endothelial cells of the capillaries of the lung results in the correction of endothelial dysfunction.