Pathologic changes in the hearts of beagles irradiated with fractionated fast neutrons or photons

Journal Article · Tue Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1981 · Radiat. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3575649· OSTI ID:5793429

Zook, B C ^[1]; Bradley, E W; Casarett, G W; Rogers, C C

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1. George Washington Univ. Medical Center, Washington, DC

Thirty-nine adult male purebred beagles received either fast-neutron or photon irradiation to the right thorax to determine the effects on pulmonary tissue. The right atrium, a small portion of the right ventricle, and the right anterior abdomen were included in the field. Twenty-four dogs (six/group) received fast neutrons with a mean energy of 15 MeV to doses of 1000, 1500, 2250, or 3375 rad in four fractions per week for 6 weeks. Fifteen dogs received 3000, 4500, or 6750 rad of photons (five/group) in an identical fractionation pattern. Fourteen dogs died or were euthanatized in extremis between 47 and 708 days after radiation because of radiation damage to digestive organs. Six other dogs died of anesthetic accidents between 196 and 1144 days after radiation; these deaths were probably related to hepatic dysfunction. Two neutron-irradiated dogs developed cardiac neoplasms after 396 and 1624 days. One dog died of a myocardial infarct and one died of an unrelated infection. The major atrial lesions were hemorrhage and necrosis of myocardial cells in dogs that died 47-109 days postirradiation. Myocardial and endocardial fibrosis were most extensive in dogs that died 84 or more days following irradiation. All beagles had degenerative and occlusive vascular changes associated with atrial lesions. The relative biological effectiveness of fast neutrons for pathologic injury of the heart was estimated to be between 4 and 5.

• OSTI ID: 5793429
• Journal Information: Radiat. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Radiat. Res.; (United States) Vol. 88:3; 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.
ANIMALS
BARYONS
BEAGLES
BEAMS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DISEASES
DOGS
DOSES
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FAST NEUTRONS
FERMIONS
FRACTIONATED IRRADIATION
HADRONS
HEART
INJURIES
IRRADIATION
MAMMALS
NEOPLASMS
NEUTRONS
NUCLEONS
ORGANS
PHOTON BEAMS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION INJURIES
RADIOINDUCTION
VERTEBRATES