Effect of ionizing radiation on the primate pancreas: an endocrine and morphologic study

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1987 · J. Surg. Oncol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/jso.2930340113· OSTI ID:6645628

Du Toit, D F; Heydenrych, J J; Smit, B; Zuurmond, T; Louw, G; Laker, L; Els, D; Weideman, A; Wolfe-Coote, S; Du Toit, L B

In this study we evaluated the endocrine, biochemical, and haematological derangements as well as pancreatic and histological changes of the bonemarrow in the primate following external fractionated subtotal marrow irradiation without bonemarrow reconstitution. The irradiation was administered in preparation for pancreatic transplantation. Two groups of animals (ten in each group) received 800 rad (8 Gy) and 1000 rad (10 Gy) respectively over 4 to 5 weeks. A maximum of 200 rads (2 Gy) were administered weekly as photons from a 6 MV linear accelerator. During irradiation the animals remained normoglycaemic in the presence of transiently elevated liver enzymes and serum amylase values, which returned to normal on completion of the irradiation. Insulin release was significantly reduced in both groups during irradiation and was associated with minimally decreased K-values in the presence of mild glucose intolerance. Pancreatic light morphologic changes included structural changes of both exocrine and endocrine elements and included necrosis of the islet cells and acinar tissue. Islet histology demonstrated striking cytocavitary network changes of alpha and beta cells, including degranulation, vacuolization, mitochondrial destruction, and an increase in lysosomes. A hypoplastic bonemarrow ranging from moderate to severe was observed in all irradiated recipients. Near total fractionated body irradiation in the primate is therefore associated with elevated liver enzymes, pancytopenia, transient hyperamylasaemia, hypoinsulinaemia, a varying degree of pancreatitis, and bonemarrow hypoplasia.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Stellenbosch Medical School, Tygerberg, South Africa
• OSTI ID: 6645628
• Journal Information: J. Surg. Oncol.; (United States), Vol. 1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BONE MARROW
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
LIVER
PANCREAS
ENZYMES
FRACTIONATED IRRADIATION
INSULIN
LINEAR ACCELERATORS
MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES
NECROSIS
PHOTONS
PRIMATES
TRANSPLANTS
ACCELERATORS
ANIMAL TISSUES
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ENDOCRINE GLANDS
GLANDS
HEMATOPOIETIC SYSTEM
HORMONES
IRRADIATION
MAMMALS
MASSLESS PARTICLES
ORGANS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PEPTIDE HORMONES
RADIATION EFFECTS
TISSUES
VERTEBRATES
560152* - Radiation Effects on Animals- Animals