The Influence of Radiation Quality on Radiation-induced Hemolysis and Hemoglobin Oxidation of Human Erythrocytes

Abstract

Human erythrocytes were exposed to γ-rays and α-particles to assess radiation-induced membrane damage and hemoglobin oxidation and denaturation. With all parameters measured, the α-particles proved to be less efficient than the γ-rays. The time-dependence of hemolysis showed also clear differences: with the γ-rays the process was faster, reaching saturation after 40–90 min (depending on dose), but with the α-particles the final level was attained only after about 3–7 h. Hemoglobin oxidation and denaturation could be measured only after γ-exposure, but they were negligible with the α-particles when comparable doses were applied. These results are interpreted by proposing that OH-radicals, whose yields are smaller with densely ionizing radiation, play a crucial role in the induction of the processes for radiation-induced erythrocyte damage.