CHANGES IN BLOOD PLASMA OF GUINEA-PIG DURING ACUTE RADIATION SYNDROME

Abstract

Male guinea pigs (Hartley strain), weighing 600-850 g., received a single total-body exposure to 250 kvp X-rays of 200 r or 600 r (including backscatter), the half-value layer being 0.4 mm. of Cu. For several hrs. after exposure, particularly after 600 r, a transient syndrome of abnormal posture, labored respiration and lacrimation might occur. 3 or 4 days after exposure, all of the animals developed the signs of serious illness. Changes in the plasma were followed for 8 days after exposure, and came in 2 phases with respect to time, the first beginning 1 day after exposure, the second about 3 or 4 days later. The changes after 200 r (approx. LD-50%) were about half as great as those after 600 r. Following 200 r, glucose rose 60 mg.% during the 1st day, returning to normal during the next 5. NPN was elevated by 10 mg.% for 5 days. The albumin-globulin ratio rose from 3.1-4.5 during the first 2 days, and returned to normal during the next 3. The rise was due to nonprotein material which altered the solubility of the proteins and which could be rendered ineffective by extracting the plasma with ether. Total protein fell about 1 g.% during the 5th-7th days. Chloride rose by as much as 50 mg.% (as NaCl) during the 3d-5th days. Cholesterol rose 20 mg.% on the 4th and 5th days. The ensemble of changes in the plasma followed a pattern which suggested a "reaction" on the part of the organism as a whole, rather than changes due to specific injuries. The pattern, however, did not coincide with that reported for the alarm reaction.