Whole Body X-Irradiation, Nitrogen Excretion And The Adrenal Gland

Journal Article · Sun Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1962 · Endocrinology (U.S.)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1210/endo-70-4-589· OSTI ID:4785280

Nims, L F; Thurber, R E

Urinary nitrogen excretion by the rat increases after whole-body x irradiation. This response to irradiation is suppressed by adrenalectomy and can be restored by treatment of the x-irradiated adrenalectomized rats with adrenal cortical extract. The weights of the thymus and the spleen are decreased and the weight of the liver is increased in the rat following whole-body x irradiation; adrenalectomy produces only quantitative changes in these responses without affecting the direction of the changes. Blood amino acid levels are not affected appreciably by x irradiation. From these facts it appears that nitrogenous materials other than amino acids or simple polypeptides are transferred from certain body tissues to the liver after irradiation. In the normal irradiated animal these nitrogenous materials are converted in the liver to glycogen, and the excess nitrogen appears in the urine. In the adrenalectomized irradiated animal the liver is unable to carry out this conversion. Treatment of the adrenalectomized irradiated animal with adrenal cortical extract restores the ability of the liver to effect the conversion. (auth)

• Research Organization: Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, N.Y.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-16-014499
• OSTI ID: 4785280
• Report Number(s): BNL-5626; 0013-7227
• Journal Information: Endocrinology (U.S.), Journal Name: Endocrinology (U.S.) Vol. Vol: 70; ISSN ENDOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ADRENAL GLANDS
AMINO ACIDS
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BLOOD
GLYCOGEN
HORMONES
LIVER
METABOLISM
NITROGEN
QUANTITY RATIO
RADIATION EFFECTS
RATS
SPLEEN
SUGARS
SURGERY
THYMUS
URINE
WEIGHT
X RADIATION