The effect of granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor on the prostaglandin E-2-like activity of the small intestine of rat during total bodyirradiation

Radiation-induced gastrointestinal toxicity is important for subjects recei ving radiation to the pelvis. Eicosanoids and free radicals may be involved in the mechanism. rHuGM-CSF is a subcutaneously administered drug which ma y reduce some side effects of radiation. This experimental study was undert aken to determine the effectiveness of rHuGM-CSF on PGE(2)-like activity of the small intestine in rats. Thirty-two adult male Wistar-Albino rats ente red the study to be randomized to one of the four groups: Group I. Control; II. Drug administered; III. Irradiated; IV. irradiated and drug administer ed. Radiation was by total body irradiation, 800 rads with Cobalt 60. On th e 9th day the animals were killed and biopsies were taken from the terminal ileum. PGE(2)-like activity was evaluated. Animals were weighed on the day of irradiation and end of the experiment. A statistically significant diff erence was found according to pre- and post-treatment weights in the irradi ated and nonirradiated drug administered groups (Groups II and IV) (P=0.035 and 0.018, respectively). PGE(2)-like activity in the intestinal tissue wa s statistically significant higher in the drug-treated animals, both in non -irradiated and irradiated groups. Surprisingly, irradiation was found to d ecrease the PGE2-like activity in the intestinal tissue (P=0.008). rHuGM-CS F was found to increase PGE(2)-like activity in the intestinal tissue. The cellular mechanisms underlying this must be clearly determined and weighed carefully in considering the drug for clinical usage. (C) 2000 Harcourt Pub lishers Ltd.