INVESTIGATIONS ON THE GENESIS OF THYMUS ATROPHY AFTER WHOLE-BODY IRRADIATION. II. THE FATE OF DESOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID

Journal Article · Wed Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1961 · Strahlentherapie (West Germany)

OSTI ID:4817286

Hagen, U

Desoxyribonuclele aeid (DNA) concentrations of the thymus tissue during the first 18 hours after a whole body irradiation with 1000 r are reported. The DNA concentration is unchanged during the first 12 hours, although many cells of this organ are already damaged irreverslbly. The measured decrease of the DNA content after 18 hours is based on a changed compositon of the cells of the thymus. The structure of the DNA, however, is damaged very early after irradiation. The viscosity of the DNA decreases considerably within 3 hours after the irradiation. lt can be concluded that there is a degradation of the chain of the molecule. The decrease of viscosity takes place simultaneously with the histologic appearance of pycnosis of the cell nucleus. It is assumed that the degradation of the DNA is caused by the necrolytic processes which begin after the cell death. It is less likely, however, that the chain of the nucleic acid is destroyed directly by radiochemical processes during the whole body irradiation. (auth)

• Research Organization: Universitat, Freiburg i. B.; and Heiligenberg-Instituts, Heiligenberg, Ger.
• NSA Number: NSA-16-008621
• OSTI ID: 4817286
• Journal Information: Strahlentherapie (West Germany), Journal Name: Strahlentherapie (West Germany) Vol. Vol: 116; ISSN STRAA
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: German

Related Subjects

ANIMAL CELLS
BIOCHEMISTRY
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
CELL NUCLEI
CYTOLOGY
IRRADIATION
NUCLEIC ACIDS
PYCNOSIS
QUANTITY RATIO
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION INJURIES
RADIOCHEMISTRY
THYMUS
VISCOSITY