Comparative effects of inhaled relatively insoluble forms of $sup 90$Y, $sup 144$Ce, and $sup 90$Sr on canine peripheral lymphocyte function

Conference · Wed Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1975

OSTI ID:4060168

Benjamin, S A; Jones, R K; Snipes, M B; Lustgarten, C S

Dogs that have inhaled relatively insoluble forms of either alpha- or beta-emitting radionuclides manifest a peripheral lymphopenia, the development and course of which depends on both total dose and dose rate. The remaining peripheral lymphocytes in dogs exposed to longer lived beta-emitting radionuclides showed a depressed function as measured by the ability to respond to plant mitogens in vitro. This experiment was designed to evaluate the effect of dose rate on peripheral lymphocyte function by exposing dogs to aerosols of radionuclides with varied effective half-lives in the lung: $sup 90$Y (2.6 days), $sup 144$Ce (170 days), and $sup 90$Sr (650 days). Three groups of four adult beagle dogs each were exposed by inhalation to $sup 90$Y, $sup 144$Ce, or $sup 90$Sr in fused-clay particles. Two controls were matched with each group. Initial lung burdens and initial dose rates to the lung were 520 to 610 $mu$Ci/kg of body weight and 2200 to 2600 rads/day in the $sup 90$Y group, 33 to 60 $mu$Ci/ kg and 200 to 350 rads/day in the $sup 144$Ce group, and 25 to 32 $mu$Ci/kg and 130 to 170 rads/day in the $sup 90$Sr group. Hematologic parameters and lymphocyte function as measured by the ability of lymphocytes to respond to plant mitogen stimulation were evaluated on a weekly or biweekly basis for 8 weeks after exposure and on a monthly basis thereafter. The $sup 90$Y-exposed dogs showed a marked lymphopenia within 1 week with a return to control levels by 20 weeks after exposure. The remaining peripheral lymphocytes, however, showed no functional changes in these dogs. Animals exposed to $sup 144$Ce or $sup 90$Sr developed a progressive and persisent lymphopenia and showed functional depression of the remaining lymphocytes as well. The relationships among dose pattern, lymphopenia, and lymphocyte-function depression are discussed. (auth)

• Research Organization: Lovelace Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Albuquerque, NM; Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs., Richland, Wash. (USA); USAEC Division of Biomedical and Environmental Research, Washington, D.C.
• NSA Number: NSA-33-023563
• OSTI ID: 4060168
• Report Number(s): CONF-740930--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*LYMPHOCYTES-- BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
*LYMPHOPENIA-- RADIOINDUCTION
560162* --Biomedical Sciences
Applied Studies--Radiation Effects--Radionuclide Effects--Internal Source--Animals
BEAGLES
CERIUM 144
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
INHALATION
N48620* --Life Sciences--Radionuclide Effects (Internal Source)--Animals
STRONTIUM 90
YTTRIUM 90