Author/Editor     Huebner, Ralf-Harto; Bohuslavizki, Karl H; Brenner, Winfried; Klutmann, Susanne; Feyerabend, Bernd; Luettges, Jutta; Tinnemeyer, Stephan; Mester, Janos; Clausen, Malte; Henze, Eberhard
Title     Radioprotection of salivary glands by amifostine in high-dose radioiodine therapy investigated in a new rabbit animal model
Type     članek
Source     Radiol Oncol
Vol. and No.     Letnik 31, št. 3
Publication year     1997
Volume     str. 279-85
Language     eng
Abstract     Salivary gland damage following high-dose radioiodine treatment (HD-RIT) is a well known side effect. Since differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) has a very good prognosis, the reduction of long-term side effect is of major interest. Therefore, the radioprotective effect of amifostine was investigated in a rabbit animal model. Quantitative salivary gland scintigraphy was performed on 5 rabbits prior to and up to 3 months after HD-RIT applying 1 GBq I-131. The uptake of Tc-99cm-pertechnetate was calculated as a measure of parenchymal function. Three animals received 200 mg/kg amifostine prior to HD-RIT, and two served as controls. Salivary glands were examined histopathologically. In two control rabbits HD-RIT significantly (p<0.001) reduced pertechnetate uptake by 63% and 46% in parotid and submandibular glands, respectively, and lipomatosis was found histopathologically. In contrast, in three rabbits treated with amifostine parenchymal function was not decreased significantly (p=0.953), and lipomatosis was negligible. In conclusion, salivary gland impairment induced by HD-RIT can be evaluated quantitatively by salivary gland scintigraphy in rabbits, and amifostine significantly reduced salivary gland damage induced by HD-RIT. These encouraging results need furtner evaluation in patients since in may help to increase the quality of life of patients with diffentiated thyroid cancer.
Descriptors     SALIVARY GLANDS
AMIFOSTINE
RADIOTHERAPY
RABBITS
IODINE RADIOISOTOPES
RADIATION-PROTECTIVE AGENTS