Ultrastructural findings in the brain of fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) and mice exposed to high-energy particle radiation
Effects of high energy, heavy particle (HZE) radiation were studied in the brain of the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) exposed to argon (40Ar) or krypton (84Kr) ions. In the flies exposed to argon the fluence ranged from 6 X 10(4) to 8 X 10(7) particles/cm2. The insects were killed 35 days after exposure. Extensive tissue fragmentation was observed at the higher fluence employed. At fluences ranging from 5 X 10(6) (one hit/two cell bodies) to 9 X 10(4) (one hit/90 cell bodies) particles/cm2, swelling of the neuronal cytoplasm and focally fragmented membranes was observed. Marked increase of glial lamellae around nerve cell processes was seen at fluences ranging from one hit/six to one hit/135 cell bodies. In the flies irradiated with krypton, the fluences employed were 5.8 X 10(3) and 2.2 X 10(6) particles/cm2. Acute and late effects were evaluated. In the flies killed 36 hours after exposure (acute effects) to either fluence, glycogen particles were found in the neuroglial compartment. The granules were no longer present in flies killed 35 days later (late effects). From these studies it appears that the Drosophila brain is a useful model to investigate radiation damage to mature neurons, neuroglia, and therefore, to the glio-neuronal metabolic unit. In a separate study, the synaptic profiles of the neuropil in layers II-III of the frontal cerebral cortex of anesthesized adult LAFl mice were quantitatively appraised after exposure to argon (40Ar) particles. The absorbed dose ranged from 0.05 to 5 gray (Gy) plateau. It was determined that the sodium pentobarbital anesthesia per se results in a significant decrease in synaptic profile length one day after anesthetization, with return to normal values after 2-28 days. Irradiation with 0.05-5 Gy argon particles significantly inhibited the synaptic shortening effect of anesthesia at one day after exposure.
- Research Organization:
- NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
- OSTI ID:
- 5929913
- Journal Information:
- Scanning Electron Microsc.; (United States), Journal Name: Scanning Electron Microsc.; (United States)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
BRAIN
DELAYED RADIATION EFFECTS
EARLY RADIATION EFFECTS
ULTRASTRUCTURAL CHANGES
ARGON IONS
BIOLOGICAL MODELS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DROSOPHILA
KRYPTON IONS
MICE
ANIMALS
ARTHROPODS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
CHARGED PARTICLES
DIPTERA
FLIES
FRUIT FLIES
INSECTS
INVERTEBRATES
IONS
MAMMALS
MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES
NERVOUS SYSTEM
ORGANS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RODENTS
VERTEBRATES
560153* - Radiation Effects on Animals- Invertebrates- (-1987)
560152 - Radiation Effects on Animals- Animals