Role of the Kidney in Development of Vascular Hypersensitivity Following Whole Body Irradiation

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
During the 2d week following 650 r whole body irradiation, vascular responsiveness was studied in the rat by observing the concentration of topically applied epinephrine required to produce metarteriolar constriction in the mesoappendix. An increase in vascular responsiveness was observed. If the kidneys were exteriorized and placed in lead shields at the time of the whole body irradiation this hypersensitivity was less pronounced. These animals were in much better condition than the controls in which the kidneys had not been protected. It is suggested that the vascular hypersensitivity parallels the incidence of general debility instead of reflecting the presence of a renal vasoexcitor material. This interpretation is substantiated by the observation that kidney irradiation without whole body irradiation failed to increase vascular sensitivity. No histologic change was detected in the irradiated kidney.

This publication has 2 references indexed in Scilit: