Effects of Continuous Low-Level Cobalt-60 Gamma Radiation on an in Vitro Mammalian Cell System: II. Recovery and the Effects of Hypothermia

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Cell recovery was observed in L-M strain mouse cell populations exposed to 4.8 r of chronic irradiation per hour over a 7-day period, when a rest period of 8.5 hours was allowed prior to re-exposure of the cell populations to further radiation. A cell population exposed to longer periods of 4.8 r of chronic radiation per hour showed recovery capacity if not exposed to more than 1612 r cumulative dosage. Beyond this cumulative dose complete recovery was not demonstrable. It was postulated that an irreversible mitotic block is imposed above a certain threshold of radiation damage. A reduction in incubation temperature of chronically irradiated cultures from 35[degree]C to 30[degree]C significantly enhanced radiation effects on the cell population; a tripling of generation time and appreciable lengthening of the lag phase was noted, suggesting that mitotic delay is potentiated and/or a biochemical repair process is markedly reduced at reduced temperature. Morphological observations are correlated with some of the physiological findings.

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: