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Levels of parathyroid hormone and calcitonin in serum among atomic bomb survivors

Journal Article · · Radiation Research
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3578796· OSTI ID:45271
; ; ; ; ;  [1];  [2]
  1. Radiation Effects Research Foundation (Japan)
  2. Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital (Japan)
To examines the potential causes of increased levels of calcium in serum with increasing dose of atomic bomb radiation, which was obtained from the previous preliminary analysis, levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitonin in serum were examined among 1459 subjects in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. A significant effect of radiation on levels of calcium, PTH and calcitonin in serum was found, even after patients with hyperparathyroidism were excluded. The level of calcium in serum increased with radiation dose; this can be explained partly by the increase in the level of PTH with radiation dose. However, the dose effect on calcium remained even after adjustment for PTH, calcitonin and confounding factors such as renal function, serum albumin level and medication. Parathyroid hormone increased initially by 6.8% per gray, but the dose response leveled off after about 1 Gy. The level of calcitonin increased with radiation dose, probably in part due to feedback mechanisms stimulated by the increase in calcium. However, after adjustment for the level of calcium, the increase in the level of calcitonin with dose was still found. Although the etiological mechanisms of the effect of radiation on serum levels of calcium, PTH and calcitonin are unclear, radiation exposure may affect secretion of PTH and calcitonin and regulation of calcium a long time after atomic bomb exposure. 21 refs., 3 figs., 6 tabs.
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
45271
Journal Information:
Radiation Research, Journal Name: Radiation Research Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 137; ISSN 0033-7587; ISSN RAREAE
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English