Internal irradiation of dogs with radioactive colloidal gold: synergistic effect of iron.

Abstract

When irradiation of the liver was accomplished in dogs by the intravenous administration of repeated doses of relatively massive amounts of radioactive colloidal gold (Au198) the effect was heightened by the previous administration of iron. This was particularly noticeable when the iron was given intravenously in particulate form, with resulant deposition in the reticuloendothelial system. Animals that were given iron in addition to Au198 developed ascites as well as moderately extensive cirrhotic changes in the liver. Transient but marked leukopeada was observed in the dogs that received Au198 alone. Erythropoiesis was not noticeably influenced, but precipitous drops in hematocrit levels that corresponded to massive internal hemorrhage were observed to occur terminally. Electrophoresis showed changes in the plasma protein constituents. There was a decided lowertng of the albumia-globulin ratio as a resudt of lowered albumin levels. The beta globulins were considerably increased, as were the gamma globudins. Total proteins were not markedly affected.