| The goal of this project was to evaluate the efficacy of a novel anti-inflammatory peptide, RDP58 in a mouse model of radiation-induced lung damage. Classical indicators of lung damage were measured as dependant variables. These included protein concentration and cellular differentials of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL), lung tissue histopathology, cytokine analysis and immunohistochemical staining. Together, these markers were used to assess the degree of lung damage caused by ionizing radiation and were used to assess the therapeutic efficacy of RDP58.; The test mice received 12 Gy of gamma-radiation to the upper thorax. Irradiated mice were then given vehicle or RDP58 once per week. The RDP58 treated group showed improved survival at 21 days post-exposure (P<0.05). No changes were noted with regard to lung tissue histopathology. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) concentrations of TNF-alpha were significantly lower (P< 0.05) in the RDP58 treated group compared to the vehicle control on Day 4, but not on Days 7 and 14. Overall, RDP58 improved survival at 21 Days post-radiation exposure; however the mechanism by which this occurs is not clear nor could be correlated to the inflammatory processes in the lung. |
