A radiation-induced model of dystrophic changes in the myotendinous junction in biological models: a pilot study

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate the possibility of using X-ray radiation to model dystrophic lesions of the myotendinous junction in biological models (rats).Materials and methods. The objects of the study were model animals (6 rats). The animals were irradiated in the 10 Gy and 20 Gy modes using the biological irradiation unit X-RAD 320 Precision X-ray Inc in doses of 10 and 20 Gy. The morphological examination of the hind limbs of the rats after exposure to ionizing radiation was carried out according to the standard scheme. Sonography was performed on an expert class Mindrey DС-80 ultrasound scanner (a linear transducer with an operating frequency of 18-20 MHz was used).Results. А parallelism has been found between histological, immunohistochemical and sonographic changes in radiation-induced damage to the myotendinous junction (these changes are short-term in nature in the tendon part and long-term in the muscle part, while the severity of the changes is predetermined by the absorbed dose, which makes it possible to reproduce any stages of the pathological continuum).Conclusion. Тhe proposed model of radiation-induced damage to the myotendinous junction allows reproducing a histological and sonographic pattern corresponding to the subacute and chronic phase of the specified pathological process without traumatic effects on the muscle and tendon.