Central nervous system radiation syndrome in mice from preferential 10B(n, alpha)7Li irradiation of brain vasculature

Journal Article · Wed Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1988 · Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.85.11.4020· OSTI ID:7138711

Slatkin, D N; Stoner, R D; Rosander, K M; Kalef-Ezra, J A; Laissue, J A

Ionizing radiations were directed at the heads of anesthetized mice in doses that evoked the acute central nervous system (CNS) radiation syndrome. Irradiations were done using either a predominantly thermal neutron field at a nuclear reactor after intraperitoneal injection of 10B-enriched boric acid or 250-kilovolt-peak x-rays with and without previous intraperitoneal injection of equivalent unenriched boric acid. Since 10B concentrations were approximately equal to 3-fold higher in blood than in cerebral parenchyma during the reactor irradiations, more radiation from alpha and 7Li particles was absorbed by brain endothelial cells than by brain parenchymal cells. Comparison of the LD50 dose for CNS radiation lethality from the reactor experiments with the LD50 dose from the x-ray experiments gives results compatible with morphologic evidence that endothelial cell damage is a major determinant of acute lethality from the CNS radiation syndrome. It was also observed that boric acid is a low linear energy transfer radiation-enhancement agent in vivo.

• Research Organization: Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)
• OSTI ID: 7138711
• Journal Information: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.; (United States), Vol. 85:11
• 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.
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BORON
BRAIN
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
ENDOTHELIUM
INTRAPERITONEAL INJECTION
LITHIUM
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X RADIATION
ALKALI METALS
ANIMAL TISSUES
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTS
INJECTION
INTAKE
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MAMMALS
METALS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
ORGANS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
RODENTS
SEMIMETALS
TISSUES
VERTEBRATES
560152* - Radiation Effects on Animals- Animals