Repair during fractionated irradiation of the mouse bladder

Abstract

The capacity for repair of sublethal damage during fractionated irradiation of the mouse bladder was measured. Graded doses of electrons were given as 1, 2 or 5 equal daily fractions. Two functional end points were used to assess bladder damage: increased urination frequency and decreased bladder capacity. Repair of sublethal injury within 24 h was similar using both assays for bladder damage and was greater than the repair observed in mouse skin for a given dose per fraction. The possibility of a slower repair process occurring in bladder was investigated by giving 2 fractions in increasing overall times (from 24 h to 1 mo.). No increased repair was observed with the longer time intervals; hence there was no evidence for slow repair in the bladder.