Effects of Total Body X-Irradiation on Some Constituents of Liver and Kidney of the Rat

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Lethal total body X-irradiation (880 r and 1000 r) of male Sprague-Dawley rats produced the following changes. In liver, both inorganic and labile phosphate (ATP) decreased initially to subnormal levels. Four days post-irradiation, inorganic P returned to control level where it remained until death. ATP-phosphorus returned to control level on the 5th day after irradiation and continued to rise slowly. No significant changes were observed in kidney P. The fasting of rats, both normal and adrenalectomized, immediately following irradiation resulted in what appeared to be a retarded rate of glycogenolysis. A definite increase in the liver sulfhydryl content was found in fasted X-irradiated animals. Adrenalectomy produced a decrease in liver-sulfhydryl content of fasted animals. It was further reduced by irradiation. No significant changes were observed in kidney suflhydryl content of normal rats after irradiation. There was no significant effect of X-irradiation on Na, K, and water content of liver and kidney up to 48 hrs. after exposure with the exception of a slight increase in kidney Na content. Liver cytochrome oxidase activity showed only slight variations after irradiation. The possible influence of fasting on these liver and kidney constituents was considered.