Radiation cataractogenesis induced by neutron or gamma irradiation in the rat lens is reduced by vitamin E

Journal Article · Sat Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990 · Scanning Microscopy; (USA)

OSTI ID:5798328

Ross, W M; Creighton, M O; Trevithick, J R ^[1]

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1. Defence Research Establishment, Ottawa, Ontario (Canada)

Although cataract of the eye lens is a known late effect of ionizing radiation exposure, most of the experimental work to date has concentrated on single, acute high doses or multiple, fractionated, chronic exposures. Many papers have dealt with biochemical alterations in metabolism and cellular components, with microscopic and electron microscopic lesions to the epithelial and cortical layers, and with clinical cataract formation. However, the minimum cataractogenic dose for rats has for many years been considered to be about 2 Gy for a single, acute dose of low LET radiation. Our purpose in designing this pilot study was three fold: firstly, to determine whether any physical damage could be detected after low, acute exposure to neutron radiation (10 and 100 cGy); secondly, to compare the relative effectiveness of fast (14 MeV) neutrons with gamma-rays; and thirdly, to investigate the possibility that vitamin E could protect the lenses from radiation damage. The results revealed that morphological damage was already discernible within minutes after exposure to neutrons or gamma-rays, that it became greater after 24 hours, that neutrons were more damaging than gamma-rays, and that vitamin E could effectively reduce the cataractogenic damage induced by ionizing radiation. Control, non-irradiated lenses with or without vitamin E, either in vivo or in vitro, showed no damage. Also, it appeared that in vitro irradiation was more damaging to lenses than in vivo irradiation, so this culture technique may prove to be a sensitive tool for assessing early damage caused by ionizing radiation.

• OSTI ID: 5798328
• Journal Information: Scanning Microscopy; (USA), Journal Name: Scanning Microscopy; (USA) Vol. 4:3; ISSN 0891-7035; ISSN SCMIE
• 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
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
BODY AREAS
CATARACTS
CRYSTALLINE LENS
DISEASES
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
DOSES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
EYES
FACE
FAST NEUTRONS
FERMIONS
GAMMA RADIATION
HADRONS
HEAD
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MAMMALS
NEUTRONS
NUCLEONS
ORGANS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
RADIOINDUCTION
RADIOSENSITIVITY EFFECTS
RATS
RBE
RODENTS
SENSE ORGANS
SENSE ORGANS DISEASES
VERTEBRATES
VITAMIN E
VITAMINS