Absorption of Intradermally Injected Horse gamma Globulin, a Foreign Protein, in Rabbits Following Whole Body gamma Irradiation

摘要

Groups of rabbits were exposed to whole body gamma radiation. Twenty-four hours later a foreign protein, horse gamma globulin, was injected intradermally. Blood samples were taken at 2, 4, 6, 8, 16, and 24 hours postinjection and analyzed for presence of the foreign protein by antigen-antibody double diffusion in agar techniques. An increased quantity of horse gamma globulin would indicate reduced protein localization in situ. One group of animals (200 R) at one sample time (24 hours) showed a statistically significant increase over the control group. It is logically assumed that many radiation effects have a bearing on the amount of horse gamma globulin in the circulating blood, such as peripheral blood flow, hemoconcentration, and the status of various proteolytic enzymes. Therefore, the amount of foreign protein in the blood sample is not a direct measurement of localization capacity, unless these other effects are slight, as at low levels (200 R) and do not overshadow the localization phenomenon. The results of this study indicated that the hypothesis of a direct relationship between whole body gamma irradiation and localizing capacity of rabbits appears to be correct for a total dose level of 200 R when a 24-hour blood sample is considered. At other dose levels and sampling times, other radiation effects apparently obscure the localizing phenomenon. (Author)