Comparative Study of the Physiological Effects of X-Irradiation and Resistance to Traumatic Shock

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Factors concerned with the lethal reac-tion to whole body X-irradiation were studied in the rat through an experimental interplay of the shock and radiation syndromes. Special attention was given to the extent to which a state of tolerance or resist-ance to trauma reduced the deleterious sequelae of X-irradiation. A predisposition to shock occurs within 3-4 days after 650-900 r (LS50-LD100 doses) and persists from 30-60 days. There was no relationship of the predisposition to leukopenia or bacteremia. Adaptation to drum trauma had no protective carryover against the lethal effects of X-irradiation. Resistance to trauma, once established, was not under-mined by exposure to X-rays. Although the rats were unable to cope with a single large dose of trauma after exposure to x-ray, they could tolerate small doses sufficiently well to develop resistance to drum trauma. It is suggested that trauma adaptation involves an alteration, possibly an hypertrophy, of the reticulo-endothelial system (RES) and that a derangement of the RES may develop following exposure to whole body X-irradiation.