QUANTITATIVE BIOLOGICAL METHODS FOR STUDYING RADIATION EFFECTS IN MAMMALS

摘要

As pointed out repeatedly, the relative effective¬ness of various ionizing radiations in producing a response in a mammalian species may depend on the particular response used for the comparison. It is obvious, therefore, that a number of responses other than lethality should be tested. Prophylactic and therapeutic agents which increase the survival of animals exposed to otherwise lethal doses of radiation may in some cases exert their beneficial effect by selectively protecting a par¬ticular tissue or tissue function. In order to clarify the mechanism of action of these agents it is desirable to determine their relative ability to protect specific tissues and tissue functions from radiation damage. Such determinations can be made only if the degree of radiation effect shows some quantitative relation to radiation dose.