Study of sodium homeostasis in blood in whole body gamma- irradiated rats.

Adult male rats were subjected to whole body irradiation of 400 and 1000 rads and sodium homeostasis in blood was studied on the 1st, 4th and 7th days after exposure. A significant decrease in red cell adenosine triphosphatase, progressive loss of erythrocytic potassium and alteration in influx and efflux of sodium 22 in red cells in vitro were observed in these rats.