Low dose gamma irradiation pretreatment modulates the sensitivity of CNS to subsequent mixed gamma and neutron irradiation of the mouse head.

ABSTRACТ To explore if the total body γ-irradiation at a dose of 0.1 Gy 7 days prior to acute mixed γ, n-irradiation of the head at the dose of 1 Gy can reduce the harmful effects of neutron irradiation on the hippocampal functions, neuroinflammation and neurogenesis. Mice were exposed to γ-radiation alone, mixed γ,n-radiation or combined γ-rays and γ,n-radiation 7 days after γ-irradiation. Two months post-irradiation, mice were tested in Open Field and in the Morris water maze. The content of microglia, astrocytes, proliferating cells and cytokines TGF-β, TNF-α, IL-1β, GFAP levels, hippocampal BDNF, NT-3, NT-4, NGF mRNA expression were evaluated. Two months after combined irradiation, we observed impaired hippocampus-dependent cognition, which was not detected in mice exposed to γ,n-irradiation. Combined exposure and γ,n-irradiation led to a significant increase in the level of activated microglia and astrocytes in the brains. The level of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the brain and hippocampal neurotrophine's genes changed differenly after the combined exposure and γ,n-irradiation. The quantity of DCX-positive cells was reduced after γ,n-irradiation exposer alone, but increased after combined irradiation. Our results indicate radio-adaptive responses in brains of mice that were exposed to low-dose gamma irradiation 7 days prior to acute 1 Gy γ,n-irradiation.