BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to construct a radiation-induced brain injury (RBI) model and assess the effects of human recombinant endostatin in the treatment of RBI.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, the RBI model was used. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, hematoxylin and eosin staining were conducted to detect the mRNA and protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and assess the effects of human recombinant endostatin in the treatment of RBI.

RESULTS: In this study, we successfully constructed a RBI model. VEGF mRNA expression was decreased after human recombinant endostatin treatment; however, VEGF protein secretion was increased in brain endothelial cells, and the secretion of VEGF protein was decreased in glial cells and nerve cells. Body weight changes indicated that human recombinant endostatin can increase the risk of weight loss. Brain water content results showed that human recombinant endostatin might aggravate cerebral edema in the acute stage of RBI, but it can reduce the progression of cerebral edema in the early delayed stage. Survival analysis showed that human recombinant endostatin improved the survival rate only in the early stage of RBI.

CONCLUSIONS: Radiation can induce vasogenic edema and is associated with the RBI occurrence and development. VEGF protein is highly relevant to the induction of edema and thrombosis in the acute phase of RBI and in the early delayed phase of RBI, including vascular repair and regeneration, thrombus ablation and other events. Human recombinant endostatin can reduce the progression of cerebral edema during the early onset of RBI.

Keywords: Abnormalities, Radiation-Induced, Brain Edema, Brain Injuries, Endostatins, Angiogenesis Inhibitors, Brain, endothelial cells, Immunohistochemistry, Neovascularization, Pathologic, Preliminary Data, RNA, Messenger, Radiation Injuries, Recombinant Proteins, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A