Ionizing radiation causes dramatic change in the transport and barrier functions of the intestine. The degree of radiation damage rate depends primarily on the absorbed dose and post-irradiation
time. Variety of experimental protocols providing different time
points and doses exist, with the lack of a common approach. In this study, to develop a unified convenient experimental scheme, dose and time dependence of barrier and transport properties of rat jejunum following ionizing radiation exposure were examined. Male Wistar rats were exposed to total body X-ray irradiation (2, 5, or 10 Gy).
The control group was subjected to sham irradiation procedure. Samples of rat jejunum were obtained at 24, 48, or 72 h post-irradiation. Transepithelial resistance, short circuit current (Isc), and paracellular permeability for sodium fluorescein of jejunum
samples were measured in an Ussing chamber; a histological examination was also performed. These parameters were significantly disturbed only 72 h after irradiation at a dose of 10 Gy, which was accompanied by loss of crypt and villi, inflammatory infiltrations, and disintegration of enterocytes. This suggests that found experimental
point (72 h after 10 Gy exposure) is the most appropriate for future study using rat jejunum as a model.