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Title: Peripheral blood corticotropin-releasing factor, adrenocorticotropic hormone and cytokine (Interleukin Beta, Interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor alpha) levels after high- and low-dose total-body irradiation in humans

Journal Article · · Radiation Research
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3578835· OSTI ID:70225
; ; ; ; ; ;  [1]; ;  [2]
  1. Institut Gustave-Roussy, Villejuif (France)
  2. Institut Curie, Paris (France)

Total-body irradiation (TBI) induces an increase in levels of granulocytes and cortisol in blood. To explore the underlying mechanisms, we studied 26 patients who had TBI prior to bone marrow transplantation. Our findings suggest that only a high dose of TBI (10 Gy) was capable of activating the hypothalamopituitary area since corticotropin-releasing factor and blood adrenocorticotropic hormone levels increased at the end of the TBI. There was a concomitant increase in the levels of interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor in blood, suggesting that these cytokines might activate the hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal axis. Interleukin 1 was not detected. Since vascular injury is a common after radiation treatment, it is possible that interleukin 6 was secreted by endothelial cells. The exact mechanisms of the production of cyctokines induced by ionizing radiation remain to be determined. 25 refs., 1 fig.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
70225
Journal Information:
Radiation Research, Vol. 139, Issue 3; Other Information: PBD: Sep 1994
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English