Lasting Effects of Low to Non-Lethal Radiation Exposure during Late Gestation on Offspring's Cardiac Metabolism and Oxidative Stress.

Ionizing radiation (IR) is known to cause fetal programming, but the physiological effects of low-dose IR are not fully understood. This study examined the effect of low (50 mGy) to non-lethal (300 and 1000 mGy) radiation exposure during late gestation on cardiac metabolism and oxidative stress in adult offspring. Pregnant C57BL/6J mice were exposed to 50, 300, or 1000 mGy of gamma radiation or Sham irradiation on gestational day 15.

Dose threshold for radiation induced fetal programming in a mouse model at 4 months of age: Hepatic expression of genes and proteins involved in glucose metabolism and glucose uptake in brown adipose tissue.

Exposure to ionizing radiation contributing to negative health outcomes is a widespread concern. However, the impact of low dose and sub-lethal dose radiation (SLDR) exposures remain contentious, particularly in pregnant women who represent a vulnerable group. The fetal programming hypothesis states that an adverse in utero environment or stress during development of an embryo or fetus can result in permanent physiologic changes often resulting in progressive metabolic dysfunction with age.

Searching for novel PET radiotracers: imaging cardiac perfusion, metabolism and inflammation.

Advances in medical imaging technology have led to an increased demand for radiopharmaceuticals for early and accurate diagnosis of cardiac function and diseased states. Myocardial perfusion, metabolism, and hypoxia positron emission tomography (PET) imaging radiotracers for detection of cardiac disease lack specificity for targeting inflammation that can be an early indicator of cardiac disease. Inflammation can occur at all stages of cardiac disease and currently, F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), a glucose analog, is the standard for detecting myocardial inflammation.