X-ray induced changes in the epidermis of guinea pigs-a morphometeric study

Measurement of changes in the thickness of epidermis of different locations in guinea pigs after single dose X-ray irradjation. A prospective experimental study. Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre Karachi from 2008 to 2009. Thirty animals were taken and divided into two groups which were subdivided into three subgroups containing five animals each, according to the time of sacrifice i.e. 48 hours, 15[th] day and 45[th] day respectively. A single whole body x-radiation in a dose of 5 Gy. Animals were sacrificed under ether anaesthesia after completion of their respective period. Tissues were processed and 4 to 5 micron thick paraffin embedded sections were cut, and stained with H and E. Desquamation and decrease in thickness of epidermis was present after 48 hours which shows highly significant result when compared to control [P- < 0.001]. After wards progressively increase in hyperkeratinization was noted after 15 days which is nonsignificant [P- >0.05] when compared to control. After 45[th] day proliferation of basal cells occurred which increased the thickness of epidermis near to control. The study concludes that x-radiation produces deterministic epidermal changes in all three sites i.e. face, abdomen and back of guinea pigs