Comparative histochemical data on glycogen changes in x-ray and strontium-90 radiation sickness

Abstract

A histochemical study was made of the glycogen content in the liver, cardiac muscle and lungs of rabbits at the initial period of chronic radiation sickness provoked by the intravenous injection of strontium-90 in the dose of 0.5 μC per g of body weight. An essential difference was noted in the character of the initial changes of glycogen content in radiation sickness caused by the irradiation with x-rays and strontium-90. In the first case the changes in the glycogen content may be explained by the functional disturbances, whereas in the second-by more profound derangements in the carbohydrate metabolism. At the height of the disease the cause of reduced glycogen content is the same, and, according to the authors' data, is to a certain extent connected with the increased activity of alkaline glycerophosphatase.