DAMAGE AND REPAIR OF THE GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT AFTER SUPRALETHAL RADIATION. EXPERIENCE WITH DOGS RECEIVING 1800 TO 2400 ROENTGENS OF WHOLE-BODY GAMMA RADIATION
Fifty-five young dogs were exposed to Co/sup 60/ gamma radiation. After whole-body exposures of 1,800 to 2,400 r they were given supportive therapy: fluids, antibiotics, and fresh blood, and intravenous infusions of homologous or antologous marrow. Four with functioning grafts of homologous marrow are alive and well 15, 18, 19, and 29 months following exposure. Survival in the others ranged from 3 days to 7 months. No clinically significant gastrointestinal lesion attributable to radiation damage was recognized at autopsy in animals that survived 3 or more weeks. Regeneration of intestinal mucosa was observed in all but one. Repair was prompt, virtually complete by the ninth day post-radiation. The pancreas was abnormal in six dogs with acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis in one and atrophy and exocrine deficiency in five. Disturbance of gastrointestinal function and structure increased with radiation dosage and radiation dose rate. At 1800 r, given in successive daily doses of 600 r at 2 to 7 r per minute, vomiting and diarrhea were absent. With 1800 r given continuously vomiting and diarrhea occurred and were progressively more severe and more early in occurrence as dose rate was increased from 2 to 5 to 18 r per minute. Dehydration and collapse in 3 or 4 days were frequent following 2000 to 2400 r given continuoualy at 12 to 18 r per minute. Anorexia and weight loss occurred in all irradiated dogs a few days after exposure. After regaining appetite and weight, survivors with homologous marrow grafts experienced in the fourth or fifth week a recurrence of anorexia and weight loss that was presumably due to graft versus host reaction. Histologic change assignable to this reaction was not recognized at autopsy. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital, Cooperstown, N.Y.
- NSA Number:
- NSA-17-035552
- OSTI ID:
- 4640145
- Journal Information:
- Radiobiol. Radiotherap., Vol. Vol: 4; Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-63
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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