Effect of Ionizing Radiation on the Energy Metabolism of Hog Lymphocytes

Abstract

The pattern of biochemical changes induced by irradiation was studied in a relatively broad dose range, from doses on the order of 1 rad up to doses of several kilorad, based on determinations of the content of free nucleotides. The lymphocyte was chosen as a model cell, due to the high radiosensitivity of this type of cell. Changes in the free nucleotide content of hog blood lymphocytes were examined after γ irradiation in the dose range of 50 rad to 7 krad, and after low doses of neutron irradiation. Special attention was paid to the ATP level in irradiated cells. Determinations were always performed 1 hr after irradiation. For adenine nucleotides, a decrease was noted at low doses and an increase in the dose range of several kilorad, with a maximal increase in the content of ATP and other adenine nucleotides at 3 krad of γ radiation. It was demonstrated that the energy charge of the adenine nucleotide system is a sensitive index of radiation-induced biochemical changes.