The Comparative Effects of Neutrons and X-Rays on the Whole Body

Abstract

In a previous paper (1) the marked biological effects of neutrons on mammalian tissue were demonstrated, as evidenced by the production of a lymphopenia in white rats after whole body irradiation. As is true after x-rays, the lymphocytes were more sensitive to neutrons than were the other blood cells. In a further study (2), it was found that neutrons were effective in vitro on Sarcoma 180, a transplantable neoplasm of white mice. At that time also, the whole bodies of mice were exposed to various doses of x-rays and neutrons, and the lethal effect of neutrons was demonstrated. The preliminary observations indicated that the mechanism of death after irradiation with neutrons was similar to that after x-radiation.It is important that we understand the effects of whole body irradiation with neutrons for two reasons. First, throughout the world, there are at present numerous laboratories using this new form of radiation in studies in the field of nuclear physics. The workers in these laboratories are exposed in a greater or less degree to neutrons, concerning whose biological effects we know little. The early and late damaging effects suffered by the early workers with x-rays force us to consider the possibility of similar serious injury from exposure to neutrons. Secondly, the biological action of neutrons on mammalian normal and neoplastic tissue, suggests their trial in the treatment of

Delayed effects of acute whole body lethal radiation exposure in mice pre-treated with BBT-059

“…During the DRF study (days1-30 post-exposure) neither body weights nor blood was collected; however, in the long term study, blood (20uL via the submandibular vein) was collected at 1. 5,5,7,8,9,11, and 12 months and body weights were collected at the same time points (Supplemental Figs. 1 and 2).…”

“…DEARE was studied in an early publication by Lawrence and Tennant 11 and since that time a number of studies to further our understanding have been published 10,[12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] . Several of these studies have addressed DEARE in irradiated animals without the use of radiation countermeasures at set time points relative to TBI.…”

Studies of Intestinal Microflora VI. Effect of X Irradiation on the Fecal Microflora of the Rat

“…Midlethal doses of whole-body X irradiation frequently produce premortem bloodstream invasion by the microorganisms normally resident in the intestinal tract (1- 3,8,12,14,19,20). This probably results from (i) radiation injury to the intestinal mucosa, (ii) depression of host defense mechanisms, and (iii) changes in the intestinal microflora (5,7,9,10,15,16,18,19).…”

Relation Between Bacteremia and Death in Mice Following X-Ray and Thermal Column Exposures

“…Invasion of the host by endogenous bacteria and increased susceptibility to infection following irradiation was observed over 20 years ago (Chrom, 1935;Lawrence and Tennant, 1937). A few reports (de Gara and Furth, 1945;Gowen and Zelle, 1945) appeared demonstrating increased susceptibility of irradiated animals to pathogenic organisms and the complication of radiation mortality by infection (LeRoy, 1947;Liebow et al, 1949).…”