The Effect of Low Radiation Doses on the Release of Deoxyribopolynucleotides in Haematopoietic and Lymphatic Tissues

Abstract
After irradiation, the amount of deoxyribopolynucleotides, i.e. substances soluble in 0·14 M solution of sodium chloride, insoluble in 0·2 M solution of perchloric acid and giving a positive reaction for deoxyribose with diphenylamine, increases in haematopoietic and lymphatic tissues of mice and rats. We have found that the increase is practically a linear function of the radiation dose ranging within 0–300 r. With the aid of this reaction, irradiation with a dose of 30–50 r, or contamination due to intraperitoneal administration of 5 mc 32P/kg body-weight, can be diagnosed. The authors believe that the determination of the level of deoxyribopolynucleotides could be used as an early indicator of acute radiation lesions due to small and medium radiation doses.

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