Fluid and sodium loss in whole-body-irradiated rats
Whole-body and organ fluid compartment sizes and plasma sodium concentrations were measured in conventional, GI decontaminated, bile duct ligated, and choledochostomized rats at different times after various doses of gamma radiation. In addition, sodium excretion was measured in rats receiving lethal intestinal radiation injury. After doses which were sublethal for 3-5 day intestinal death, transient decreases occurred in all the fluid compartments measured (i.e., total body water, extracellular fluid space, plasma volume). No recovery of these fluid compartments was observed in rats destined to die from intestinal radiation injury. The magnitude of the decreases in fluid compartment sizes was dose dependent and correlated temporally with the breakdown and recovery of the intestinal mucosa but was independent of the presence or absence of enteric bacteria or bile acids. Associated with the loss of fluid was an excess excretion of 0.83 meq of sodium between 48 and 84 h postirradiation. This represents approximately 60% of the sodium lost from the extracellular fluid space in these animals during this time. The remaining extracellular sodium loss was due to redistribution of sodium to other spaces. It is concluded that radiation-induced breakdown of the intestinal mucosa results in lethal losses of fluid and sodium as evidenced by significant decreases in total body water, extracellular fluid space, plasma volume, and plasma sodium concentration, with hemoconcentration. These changes are sufficient to reduce tissue perfusion leading to irreversible hypovolemic shock and death.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Washington, Seattle
- OSTI ID:
- 5836690
- Journal Information:
- Radiat. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Radiat. Res.; (United States) Vol. 111:3; ISSN RAREA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALKALI METALS
AMINE OXIDASES
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
BODY FLUIDS
CLEARANCE
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTS
ENZYMES
EXCRETION
EXTERNAL IRRADIATION
FASTING
GAMMA RADIATION
GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
HISTAMINASE
INTESTINES
IONIZING RADIATIONS
IRRADIATION
LETHAL IRRADIATION
LOSSES
MAMMALS
MATERIALS
METALS
ORGANS
OXIDOREDUCTASES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
RATS
RODENTS
SODIUM
SUBLETHAL IRRADIATION
VERTEBRATES
WHOLE-BODY IRRADIATION