Abstract
Effects of heavy ion particle radiation on mature rats were examined to know damages in astronauts during and after space radiation exposure. Two hundred female Wistar rats of 12 months old were divided into five groups (n=40), and heavy ion (Carbon) particle radiation induced by HIMAC was irradiated to four groups with doses of 0.5, 0.75, 1.0 and 5.0 Gy. Rats were bred until death after irradiation. Life spans of each radiation groups were significantly shorter than that of control group. In the 0.75 and 1.0Gy groups, the incidence of tumors in ovaries and uterus, kung, liver, and digestive tract were higher, but lower in mammary gland and pituitary, than those of control group. Bone mineral density was decreased in the 5.0 Gy group. The results indicate that heavy ion particle radiation of more than 0.75Gy occurs shortening of life span as well as tumors in various organs even in mature rats of low radiation sensitivity. [J Radiat Res 44:431-432 (2003)]
