THE ROLE OF BILE SECRETION IN THE GASTRO-INTESTINAL RADIATION SYNDROME

Technical Report · Tue Apr 29 04:00:00 EDT 1958

OSTI ID:4345669

Jackson, K L; Entenman, C

The role of bile secretion in the gastrointestinal radiation syndrome of 1500 r x-irradiated rats was studied. Ligation of the bile duct immediately before irradiation increased the mean survival time from 3.3 days to 5.0 days. Bile duct ligation one day after irradiation reduced the excessive sodium loss, which occurs on the third day afier irradiation. Potassium excretion was not altered by this treatment. During the third post-irradiation day the volume of bile secreted by irradiated rats with bile fistulae was 9.8 plus or minus 0.5 ml containing 1.53 plus or minus 0.08 mEq of sodium. Thus, the amount of sodium secreted in bile is sufiicient to account for the reduction in sodium loss brought about by bile duct ligation on the basis of the prevention of bile sodium from reaching the intestinal tract. It is concluded that following x irradiation of the rat with 1500 r loss of body sodium due to leakage of this electrolyte directly across the intestinal wall is of minor importance, the major portion of the body sodium loss is the result of an inadequate absorption of bile sodium, which is secreted into the intestine at a normal rate, and the loss of sodium via the bile is an important factor in the cause of death. The possible role of bile secretion in the gastrointestinal radiation syndrome of other mammalian species is discussed. (auth)

• Research Organization: Naval Radiological Defense Lab., San Francisco
• NSA Number: NSA-12-009575
• OSTI ID: 4345669
• Report Number(s): USNRDL-TR-227
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ANIMALS
BILE
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
ELECTROLYTES
INTESTINE
LIVER
METABOLISM
POTASSIUM
QUANTITY RATIO
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION SICKNESS
RATS
SODIUM
STOMACH
SURGERY
SURVIVAL TIME
X RADIATION