Ultrastructural Alterations in X-Irradiated Spleen

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Abstract
Simultaneous morphological changes within the nuclei and cytoplasmic organelles of splenic lymphocytes were observed as early as 75 minutes following 600 r whole body X-irradiation. The nuclear chromatin was pushed either to the periphery of the nucleus leaving a clear center or confined to one side of the nuclear membrane with the remaining part being more electron lucent. Synchronously, small well-defined vacuoles developed within some of the lymphocytic mitochondria separating their cristae. At the same time, other mitochondria were swollen and their cristae were disrupted. The ultrastructural changes within the mitochondria and nuclei were probably related to the enzymatic changes within these cellular constituents. The destructive process was progressive and became extremely severe by 10 hours after irradiation. At that time nearly all lymphocytes were destroyed leaving the radio-resistent reticular cells and hyperactive macrophages intact. The latter contained large numbers of disintegrated lymphocytes and erythrocytes.