skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Influence of butylated hydroxytoluene-induced cell proliferation on mouse lung damage after x rays or fission neutrons

Journal Article · · Radiat. Res.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3575788· OSTI ID:5430922

To examine the relative importance of endothelial cells vs type II alveolar cells in the development of lung damage, we irradiated the lungs of mice with X rays either 2 or 6 days after treatment with butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and determined LD/sub 50///sub 180/ values. LD/sub 50///sub 180/ was 959 rad when no BHT was given, 269 rad when 2 days elapsed after BHT treatment, and 1445 rad at 6 days after BHT. The pattern of response was similar after fission neutron irradiation to the thorax. LD/sub 50///sub 180/ after fission neutrons alone was 476 rad, but at 2 and 6 days after BHT, the LD/sub 50///sub 180/ values were 98 and 575 rad, respectively. Clearly 2 days after BHT, when radiation injury to type II cells predominated, the sensitivity to both X rays and fission neutrons increased markedly, suggesting that injury to alveolar epithelial cells may be of primary importance in the development of lung damage in the mouse. Further, since certain antineoplastic drugs may induce a proliferative response in the lung similar to that produced by BHT, these data stress the fact that the timing between chemotherapy and radiation may be critical in the treatment of some cancers to avoid serious complications.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-26
OSTI ID:
5430922
Journal Information:
Radiat. Res.; (United States), Vol. 89:2
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English