MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN THE SPLEEN AFTER NITROGEN MUSTARD POISONING AND X- RAY IRRADIATION

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1962 · Acta Morphol. Acad. Sci. Hung., Suppl.

OSTI ID:4070516

Tanka, D; Fiam, B; David, G

Rats were subjected to x irradiation with 800 r, equaling the DL/sub 50/ 30/, and their spleens were tested by histochemical methods for cytochrome oxidase, succinic dehydrogenase, nonspecific esterase, and alkaline and acid phosphatase activity. The radiation effect was compared with that of an equivalent dose of nitrogen mustard. Cytochrome oxidase and succinic dehydrogenase activity showed no noteworthy changes; 24 and 48 hr after irradiation, the localization of alkaline phosphatase activity was sparse, in just a few cells around the follicle centers. After 120 hr the capillaries were the only components to give a positive reaction. After 240 hr the activity began to reappear and the localization of enzyme activity became normal. Nitrogen mustard caused a marked decrease of alkaline phosphatase activity and two days after irradiation the enzyme activity was low. Acid phosphatase activity rose in response to irradiation for 48 hr and subsequently decreased. Nitrogen mustard caused a considerable reduction of acid phosphatase activity in the first 48 hr, but restitution was complete after 120 hr. Nonspecific esterase activity responded to both treatments with the same rise of intensity, to diminish to the control level after 240 hr. These results furnish evidence that ionizing radiation as well as nitrogen mustard may produce either a drop or a rise in enzyme activity. The difference between the two effects is that the response provoked by radiation develops at a slower rate and under certain conditions lasts much longer than that of nitrogen mustard, which becomes effective soon after exposure and shows a shorter period before normalization. (BBB)

• Research Organization: National Inst. of Rheumatology and Balneology, Budapest
• NSA Number: NSA-18-015822
• OSTI ID: 4070516
• Journal Information: Acta Morphol. Acad. Sci. Hung., Suppl., Journal Name: Acta Morphol. Acad. Sci. Hung., Suppl. Vol. Vol: 10
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

BIOCHEMISTRY
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BLOOD VESSELS
CYTOCHROME OXIDASE
CYTOLOGY
DEHYDROGENASES
ENZYMES
ESTERASES
NITROGEN MUSTARD
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
PHOSPHATASES
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RECOVERY
SPLEEN
SUCCINIC ACID
TOXICITY
X RADIATION