The Effect of Supralethal Doses of Ionizing Radiation Upon Mitochondria of the Rat Central Nervous System,

Abstract

The effect of supralethal doses of ionizing radiation upon the function of rat central nervous system (CNS) mitochondria was studied. Following 20,000 rads to the head there was a significant transient decrease in respiratory control, with a return to control levels by 4 hours after irradiation. Despite this apparent return to normal respiratory function the animals continued to deteriorate clinically, dying of the radiation CNS syndrome within 48 hours. In animals receiving 10,000 rads to the head, there were no apparent abnormalities in the respiratory function of the mitochondria. The results suggest that mitochondira of the CNS are quite radio-resistant when compared to those of other tissues, and this may in part explain the greater radioresistance of the CNS when compared to other organs. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 1972
Accession Number
AD0757325

Entities

People

  • E. E. Ricks
  • George N. Catravas
  • J. R. Abbott
  • S. L. Cohan

Organizations

  • Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abnormalities
  • Anatomy
  • Biological Sciences
  • Central Nervous System
  • Ionizing Radiation
  • Mitochondria
  • Nervous System
  • Radiation

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

  • Neuroscience
  • Nuclear and Radiation Engineering.