Cataract production in mice by heavy charged argon, neon, and carbon particles

Journal Article · Wed Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983 · Radiat. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3575909· OSTI ID:5742395

Jose, J G; Ainsworth, E J

The cataractogenic potential in mice of heavy charged particles from the Bevalac was examined in relation to dose, linear energy transfer (LET), and time following exposure. BALB/c x C57/bl/sub 6/(CB/sub 6/F/sub 1/) mice were exposed to graded single doses (0.05 to 0.9 Gy) of 570-MeV /sup 40/Ar, 425-MeV /sup 20/Ne, or 400-MeV /sup 12/C particles in the plateau portion of the Bragg curve. Lenses were examined by slit lamp biomicroscopy over a 21-month period. The cataract severity was scored subjectively on a scale of 0 to 4 and compared to the opacities induced by 225-kVp X rays. Both the onset and density of the lens opacities were related to dose, and opacification progressed throughout the entire period of observation. In terms of degree of opacification and rates of onset and progression, the cataractogenic response to /sup 40/Ar particles was greater than to either /sup 20/Ne or /sup 12/C particles. Discrimination between the effects of /sup 20/Ne and /sup 12/C was possible only at the higher doses employed (0.6 and 0.9 Gy) and only at some observation times. Based on average cataract density at the several observation times, the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of /sup 40/Ar particles is estimated to be 3 to 5 over a cataract score range of about 1.5 to 3.0 (0.15 to 0.9 Gy). The RBE for /sup 20/Ne and /sup 12/C particles is probably somewhat greater than 1.0. The consistency of replicate lens examinations and challenges of the subjective scoring system are discussed.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 5742395
• Journal Information: Radiat. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Radiat. Res.; (United States) Vol. 94:3; ISSN RAREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560152* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Animals
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ACCELERATORS
ANIMALS
ARGON 40 BEAMS
BEAMS
BEVALAC
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
BODY AREAS
CARBON 12 BEAMS
CATARACTS
CRYSTALLINE LENS
CYCLIC ACCELERATORS
DISEASES
ENERGY TRANSFER
EYES
FACE
HEAD
ION BEAMS
LET
MAMMALS
MICE
NEON 20 BEAMS
ORGANS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOINDUCTION
RBE
RODENTS
SENSE ORGANS
SENSE ORGANS DISEASES
VERTEBRATES