The Effect of Whole-Body X-Irradiation on the Passage and Absorption of Strontium and Calcium in the Gastrointestinal Tract of the Rat

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Abstract
Young male albino rats (100 to 120 gm) were exposed to 285-kvp X-rays for 10 minutes at a dose rate of 40 r/min. At various times after irradiation, they were given Sr85 and Ca45 into ligated segments of the small intestine to ascertain the effect of irradiation on absorption. At 2 hours after irradiation, the only change noted was a possible depression of absorption in the duodenum. At 16 hours no effect was noted. At 24 hours, an increased permeability of the ileum and jejunum to both Ca45 and Sr85 was seen. The effect was present in the ileum at 48 hours for both Ca45 and Sr85 but only for Ca45 in the jejunum. At 2 hours after irradiation the movement of the test solution out of the stomach and along the small intestine was slower than in controls. This explains the increased absorption of Sr85 seen at a similar time period in intact rats. At 48 hours after irradiation, the movement of the test dose from the stomachs of the irradiated rats was faster than for the control rats. However, a slower movement through the small intestine was detected. This accentuated the increased permeability seen in the ileum.