Dataset for: Multi-organ acute and delayed effects following exposure to neutron radiation

Neutron radiation exposure is a life-threatening consequence of nuclear
disasters, a known hazard in space exploration, and a potential side
effect in therapeutic proton applications. Prior studies have shown that
neutron radiation is more biologically damaging than photon irradiation
for acute radiation injury to normal tissue, the rate of tumor induction,
and reduced life span. However, the effect of high dose neutron exposures
on late responding organs remains unknown. To determine the response of
late responding organs including the lung, heart, eye, and kidney, we
assessed survival and characterized organ-specific injuries in adult rats
exposed to 2 – 10 Gy neutrons with shielding of approximately 5-8% bone
marrow at a clinical cyclotron-based neutron therapy facility. Additional
cohorts of rats were exposed to 320 kV X-rays at equivalent doses.
Survival through the acute and delayed sequelae of organ radiation injury
was monitored for up to one year post-exposure. Longitudinal secondary
outcomes, including body weight, complete blood cell counts, breathing
rate, blood urea nitrogen, urinary proteomics and metabolomics, as well as
the incidence of cataracts and intraocular pressure, were monitored.
During the acute sequelae of gastrointestinal and hematopoietic injury,
neutron exposure was 1.5-1.6 times more damaging than equivalent doses of
X-ray. For late-responding organs, the relative biological effect (RBE) of
neutron exposure to the kidney was 1.56, compared with 1.3 for the lung or
residual bone marrow damage. Consistent with the observed renal
sensitivity to neutron exposure, radiation-induced urine proteomic and
metabolic profiles were altered in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The
urine proteome exhibited dysregulation of proteins associated with
oxidative stress and renal injury. In conclusion, the RBE of neutron
exposure was found to be organ-dependent during long-term follow-up.