Effect of Gamma Irradiation on Glucose Utilization, Glutathione, and Electrolyte Content of the Human Erythrocyte

Journal Article · Sun Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1963 · Radiation Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3571348· OSTI ID:4143945

Cividalli, G.

Samples of freshly drawn heparinized human blood were irradiated with 10,000 to 40,000 rads from a Co/sup 60/ unit and then incubated at 37 deg C. Under these conditions a greater loss of K took place from the irradiated erythrocytes than from nonirradiated controls; the loss of K was partly replaced by Na. In the range examined this prolytic effect was found to be proportional to the irradiation dose. Removing the leukocyte fraction before irradiation or suspending the irradiated erythrocytes in nonirradiated plasma had no effect on these phenomena. No increased prolysis could be demonstrated when control erythrocytes were suspended in irradiated plasma. The excessive loss of K in the irradiated engthrocnes was not accompanied by a significant change in osmotic fragility, glucose uttlization, reduced glutathione content, and stability, over that found in corresponding controls. No extra increase in cellular volume and water content of the cells, and no hemolysis, which could be attributed to the irradiation, occurred. Under normal conditions, erythrocytes maintain their cation content by a complicated enzymatic process, for which glucose metabolism furnishes the energy, and in which reduced glutathione is presumed to play a role. Most instances of prolysis studied so far have been the result of a disturbance in this enzymatic process. It appears that the prolysis caused by irradiation is due to a different mechanism, possibly to a damaging effect on the structure of the cell membrane.

• Research Organization: Hebrew Univ. Medical School and Hospital, Jerusalem
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-18-005088
• OSTI ID: 4143945
• Journal Information: Radiation Research, Journal Name: Radiation Research Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 20; ISSN 0033-7587
• Publisher: Radiation Research Society
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

AMINO ACIDS
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BLOOD PLASMA
CATIONS
COBALT 60
DIFFUSION
ELECTROLYTES
ENERGY
ENZYMES
ERYTHROCYTES
GAMMA RADIATION
GAMMA SOURCES
GLUCOSE
GLUTATHION
HEMOLYSIS
LEUCOCYTES
MAN
MEMBRANES
METABOLISM
OSMOSIS
POTASSIUM
QUANTITY RATIO
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
REDUCTION
SODIUM
STABILITY
SUGARS
TEMPERATURE
VARIATIONS
VOLUME
WATER