Influence of Ionizing Radiation on the Age Reaction of Collagen Fibres

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Abstract
Whole body irradiation of rats with X-rays up to 900 r, which shortened the life of the animals, did not change the collagen fibers of the rat''s tail tendons in any way which could be explained as ageing. The thermic contraction was inhibited by weights corresponding to the chronological age of the animals. Isolated irradiation of the tail of the rats up to 6000 r caused heavy inflammation of the skin. In spite of this, the tendons remained normal as measured by the weights required to inhibit thermal contraction. Isolated tendon fibers in near contact with radium in a wet chamber did not show changes in the weight required to inhibit thermic contraction, either after 10,000 or after 100,000 r. It is concluded that collagen fibers are insensitive to ionizing radiation and that their ageing continues in amormal way after irradiation which shortens the life of the animal.