Protective role of enteric-coated HuDi capsules against radiation-induced intestinal injury in mice

In this study, we investigated the protective effects of enteric-coated HuDi capsules on the intestines of irradiated mice. The abdomens of pathogen-free male C57BL/6 mice were irradiated with a Varian Clinac (R) 600 linear accelerator, using a 9 mV electron beam at a dose of 20 Gy. The mice were divided into 4 groups: one group was given HuDi capsules before irradiation, one group was given HuDi capsules after irradiation, one group was given amifostine before irradiation, and one group underwent radiation treatment alone. The survival rate of each group of mice was calculated, and a d-xylose absorption test was performed on the third day after irradiation. On the fourth day, the intestinal and colorectal tissues of the mice were examined for pathological changes, and immunohistochemical staining was performed to evaluate any apoptotic changes and measure the intestinal microvessel density (MVD). The group given HuDi capsules before irradiation showed the highest survival rate, the highest d-xylose absorption rate, the least pathological damage, the least vascular apoptosis, and the greatest MVD among treatment groups. Thus, these results indicate that the use of HuDi capsules protects against radiation-induced intestinal injury in mice.