THE DNA CONTENT OF THE SMALL INTESTINE AS A QUANTITATIVE MEASURE OF DAMAGE AND RECOVERY AFTER WHOLE BODY IRRADIATION

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1959 · Intern. J. Radiation Biol.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/09553005914550061· OSTI ID:4288854

Mole, R H; Temple, D M

The total amount of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in the small intestine was used as a measure of cell population in order to follow the course of radiation damage in mice and rats. Changes in total DNA-P were proportionately larger and intrinsically less variable than changes in fresh weight of the intestine. In unirradiated control mice intestinal DNA-P concentration was constant but intestinal weight and total intestinal DNA-P were linearly dependent on body weight. Single doses of whole-body irradiation given to mice caused a fall in total intestinal DNA-P which began 12 hours later. Except after 25,000 r which had less effect than 5000 r, the larger the dose of radiation the greater the maximum depression in DNA-P and the later the time at which recovery begaa. The course of recovery was exponential after 1000 r but not after 750 r. In both rats and mice BETA -mercaptoethylamine reduced the damaging effect of a dose of radiation but did not modify the course of recovery. Chronic irradiation of mice at levels sufficient to reduce body weight slightly caused a loss in total intestinal DNA-P. The loss was probably, but not certainly, greater than that expected from the loss in body weight alone. (auth)

• Research Organization: Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell, Berks, Eng.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-13-009605
• OSTI ID: 4288854
• Journal Information: Intern. J. Radiation Biol., Journal Name: Intern. J. Radiation Biol. Vol. Vol: 1
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

AMINES
BIOCHEMISTRY
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BODY
DIAGRAMS
DNA
INTESTINE
IRRADIATION
MEA
MEASURED VALUES
MICE
NUCLEIC ACIDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
PHOSPHORUS
QUANTITY RATIO
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION INJURIES
RADIATION PROTECTION
RATS
RECOVERY
VARIATIONS
WEIGHT