THE EFFECT OF TOTAL-BODY X-IRRADIATION ON THE THYMUS AND THE NUMBER OF ITS CELLS

Journal Article · Sat Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1961 · Radiation Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3571064· OSTI ID:4036001

Hofman, L; Stankovic, V; Allegretti, N

Three criteria were used for determining the effect of whole-body x irradiation on the thymus, thymic weight, total number of thymocytes, and the number of thymocytes per milligram of tissue. It was found that two independent cell populations exist in the thymus, one radiosensitive and the other radioresistunt. The decrease in radiosensitive cells occurs more rapidly than the decrease in weight of the thyruus at low x-ray doses, and the cell density therefore also decreases. The remairing radioresistant cells seem to be larger than the radiosensitive ones. Fourteen days after irradiation, there is complete restoration of cell density after exposure to x-ray doses at which one might suppose that some radiosensitive cells remain. Restoration of thynnic weight and of total number of thymocytes, however, is not complete. When divided doses are employed 14 days apart (150 r x 2,300 r x2, and 450 r x 2), there is a smaller decrease in thymic weight and in total number of thymocytes. Cell density, however, decreases to the same extent as after the first of the split doses. It may be concluded. therefore, that repopulation during restoration originates partly from the larger radioresistant cells. (auth)

• Research Organization: Inst. "Ruder Boskovic," Zagreb
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-15-023328
• OSTI ID: 4036001
• Journal Information: Radiation Research, Journal Name: Radiation Research Vol. Vol: 15
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ANIMAL CELLS
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BODY
DENSITY
GLANDS
IRRADIATION
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOSENSITIVITY
THYMUS
WEIGHT
WHOLE-BODY IRRADIATION
X RADIATION