Pathological Study of Oral Radiation Death in Mice

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Male C57BL/6 mice were given X-irradiation to various areas of the head. Irradiation of the entire head with 2000 r, or of the lower jaw and tongue with 4000 r, resulted in 100% mortality. Survival time after fatal head irradiation averaged 9 days, after fatal irradiation of the tongue and lower jaw, 11 days. Irradiation of other areas of the head with these amounts of X-irradiation was not fatal. Histologic damage to the posterior surface of the tongue and of the soft palate is evident beginning 5 days after irradiation. The extent of ulceration was greater when the entire head was irradiated. Atrophy of the lymphoid tissue and other organs became marked shortly before death. Fluid intake and urine output decreased after the 5th postirradiation day and was accompanied by a marked, rapid weight loss which averaged 39% at the time of death. Gross and microscopic changes and similar weight loss were found in unirradiated mice dying after deprivation of food and water. Dehydration and starvation appear to be important lethal factors in mice dying 9 to 11 days after irradiation of the head with doses of 2000 to 4000 r. This process apparently starts about the 5th day after irradiation at a time when morphologic changes are present in the tongue. The mucosal damage, progressing to ulceration, appears to interfere with the ingestion and swallowing of food and water.

This publication has 3 references indexed in Scilit: