Effect of Total Body Irradiation on Iron Metabolism in Human Bone Marrow

Abstract

Results of haematological and iron metabolism investigations on 17 patients who received total body X irradiation are presented. In vivo iron tracer studies indicate that 25 to 50 r total body irradiation to man 24 hours before an injection of ⁵⁹Fe does not delay the appearance of the radioactive iron in the peripheral erythrocytes. One hundred röntgens total body irradiation to man does not delay the appearance of ⁵⁹Fe in the peripheral erythrocytes if the tracer is given two hours after the irradiation, but if the tracer is given 24 to 72 hours after irradiation there is a definite delay in the appearance of the ⁵⁹Fe in the erythrocytes. The probable mechanisms for producing the delay in the appearance of the ⁵⁹Fe in the peripheral erythrocytes are discussed.