The liver is believed to be a radioresistant organ, owing, at least in part, to its regenerative capacity. Many observations were mainly based on histological experiments and were indicative of the slight vascular changes by mild doses of radiation. However, considering the fact that bone marrow cells are supplied their necessaty purine by the liver according to Lajtha's experments and the fact that there are many evidence of relation between liver injury and leukopenia, even the slight disturbance on the metabolism of the liver might well be said to influence upon the bone marrow cells.
The animal was shielded by 5 mm lead except for the part of the liver and 1000 R in air dose (150 Kvp 320 R/min) was irradiated. As the results:
1) Incorporated Glycine 2-
14C into bone marrow DNA-purine of irradiated rabbit decreased at 3 hrs. on the first and the third day after irradiation comparing control animal.
2) It was likely that bone marrow cells were released immediatery after irradiation by flash labeling of
125I-UdR procedure
3) DNA synthetic rate decreased from 3 hrs. to 24 hrs, and then recovered to normal level by one hour labeling of
125I-UdR
4) Incorporation of
59FeCl
3 into the bone marrow and spleen delayed after irradiation.
5) DNA spnthetic rate increased rapidly from 3 hrs. to the third day after irradiation and decreased to normal level by purine (inosine 10
-5 mol. +adenine 10
-5 mol.) administration to liver irradiated mice i.p.
This findings suggested that the liver irradiation influenced bone marrow DNA synthesis and the bone marrow cells recieve thier necessary purine exogenously, mainly from the liver. Administration of purine (inosine or adenine) should be believed to protect anemia and leukopenia of radiation treatment involving the liver.
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