Data from: Non-invasive estimation of absorbed ionizing radiation dose in mice using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) and aquaphotomics

Accurate measurement of ionizing radiation exposure, whether therapeutic
or accidental, is of utmost importance in various scenarios. This paper
presents a study that addresses this critical need by utilizing
near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and aquaphotomics to estimate radiation
dose exposure in mouse models subjected to X-ray irradiation. The analysis
of NIR spectra acquired from the mouse abdomen enabled non-invasive
estimation of radiation doses ranging from 0.5 to 6.5 Gy, immediately
following the irradiation exposure. The findings were consistent with the
impact of total body irradiation in mice, as evidenced by measures such as
animal survival rate, alterations in body weight observed over a 30-day
post-exposure period, and changes in hematocrit levels. The spectroscopic
measurements were based on detecting changes in the molecular structure of
body water after radiation exposure, utilizing the water spectral pattern
as a multidimensional biomarker. While further validation in nonhuman
primates is necessary, the findings demonstrate a simple, non-destructive,
and rapid method that holds promise for the estimation of radiation
exposure across a range of doses, applicable to both clinical applications
and catastrophic radiation events. These advancements in radiation dose
quantification have significant implications for the timely and precise
assessment of radiation exposure in humans.