The segment radiation method combined with liquid diet induces minimal body weight loss.

<p>Graphs show percent body weight loss (mean ± SEM) at different times after irradiation in abdominally-radiated mice given normal chow or liquid diet and in segment-radiated mice given liquid diet. Mice locally radiated on an intestinal segment and fed with liquid diet exhibited minimal body weight loss and rapid body weight recovery after radiation compared with mice abdominally radiated. Liquid diet significantly improved body weight recovery of mice treated with abdominal radiation (n≥9: Abdominal Radiation-Normal Chow n = 12; Abdominal Radiation-Liquid Diet n = 9; Segment Radiation-Liquid Diet n = 9; Two Way ANOVA; <b>a</b>: p<0.05 <i>vs.</i> Abdominal Radiation-Liquid Diet; <b>b</b>: p<0.05 <i>vs.</i> Abdominal Radiation-Normal Chow).