METHODS: Forty-five rats were used for this study. They were divided into five groups of 10 animals in groups A, B, C, D, and five animals in group E. Group A served as control, Group B had a single irradiation on day 15, Group C had Immunocal for 14 days and had irradiation on day 15, Group D had Immunocal from day 8 -14 (7 days) and was irradiated on day 15, Group 5 had irradiation on day 15 and thereafter was administered with Immunocal for 3 days. A single dose of 4Gy gamma irradiation at 100.87cGy per minute was administered. All animals were sacrificed on day 3 post-irradiation. The buccal and ileal tissues were harvested for histomorphological assessment.
RESULTS: There was statistically significant weight loss in all the experimental groups on the third day post-irradiation (p value 0.001, 0.001, 0.001, 0.025 respectively). Comparison of the cumulative modified radiation injury scores (CMRIS) in the buccal mucosa of the groups which had pre and post-irradiation Immunocal supplement administration with group that had only the irradiation showed no statistically significant difference. Also, Comparison of the CMRIS in the ileal tissue of the groups which had pre and post-irradiation Immunocal supplement administration with group that had only the irradiation showed no statistically significant difference. However, gross histological finding is that of significant alteration in the histology of the mucosal epithelium with early attempt at repair evident in the post irradiation Immunocal supplement administration group only.
CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that pre-irradiation administration of Immunocal may not have any significant protective effect in the earliest phase of radiation induced mucosal injury. It may, however, aid in early epithelial mucosal healing when administered post-irradiation.