The Nature of Intestinal Radiation Death

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Abstract
Acute intestinal radiation death is characterized by the following associated dosage range-1 to 10 kr; survival time-3 to 5 days, depending on species and other conditions, but almost invariant with dose; target organ for primary effect and seat of later critical changes-small intestine; characteristic pathology-denudation of the intestinal lining. The earliest critical effect is the blocking of viable cell production in the generative zone of intestinal epithelium; this effect is due to inhibition of mitosis and cell abortion, the latter probably due to chromosomal damage. Decay of mature epithelial cells is delayed, but if the production of new cells is blocked for a sufficiently long time the population of epithelial cells decreases with denudation of the intestinal lining. Two feedback controls postpone the onset of denudation until almost all cells are gone: spreading of the remaining cells, and contraction of the villi. Death follows denudation; the ultimate causes of death are probably action of proteolytic enzymes and/or loss of water and electrolytes. Bacteremia is not a major factor.