Wound Healing in Irradiated Mice

B6D2F1/J female mice were purchased from Jackson Laboratory (Bar Harbor, ME) and used when 12–20 wk old. Male mice were not used in this study because of aggression, which in these experiments could lead to further damage to wound sites and enhanced infection. All mice were randomly assigned to experimental groups. Eight mice were housed per filter-topped polycarbonate cage (MicroIsolator) in conventional holding rooms. Rooms were provided 20 changes of 100% fresh air per h, conditioned to 72 ± 2°F with relative humidity of 50 ± 20%. Mice were maintained on a 12-h 6 am light/6 pm dark, full-spectrum-light cycle with no twilight. Research was conducted in a facility accredited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care-International (AAALAC-I). All procedures involving animals were reviewed and approved by the AFRRI Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Euthanasia was carried out in accordance with recommendations [48 ,49 ] and guidelines [50 ].
Prior to experiments, hair of the dorsal surface of mice was removed under anesthesia (methoxyflurane inhalation) using electric clippers. Mice were placed in well-ventilated acrylic restrainers for irradiation or sham treatments. Within 1 h after irradiation or sham irradiation, mice were anesthetized by methoxyflurane inhalation, and wounding or sham wounding was performed. All mice received an i.p. injection of 0.5 ml sterile isotonic 0.9% NaCl as fluid therapy immediately after sham handling, irradiation, and/or wounding. After fluid therapy, mice were returned to their original cages. After irradiation and/or wounding, their water consumption for the first 7 days, body weights, wound closure, and survival for 30 days were measured as described previously [4 (link)].