Gastric Emptying in Rats after Part-body Irradiation

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Abstract
The effects of part-body x-irradiation on gastric emptying were studied in rats, mainly using a dose of 100 r. Irradiating the head and shoulders did not delay gastric emptying. Irradiating the abdomen delayed emptying as much as whole-body irradiation, but the delay after irradiation of the cranial, caudal, dorsal or ventral halves of the abdomen was less. The cranial half of the abdomen was more sensitive than the caudal half. The right side of the body was as sensitive as the whole body but the left side was less sensitive. Irradiation of a small part of the abdomen through a 1 in. lateral port delayed emptying only slightly less than whole-body irradiation. Anatomical studies led to the conclusion that irradiation of the small intestine and associated structures is the most important factor in producing the delay. Possible mechanisms whereby intestinal irradiation could delay gastric emptying are discussed.

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