Studies on the effect of ionizing radiations on the normal and diseased liver in experimental animals

ABSTRACT

The effect of ionizing radiation [X-ray] on the normal and schistosomal liver as one of the major endemic diseases was studied in experimental animals. The experiment was done on 280 male albino mice. Irradiation was done on the basis of acute and fractionated schemes. The liver specimens were examined for both histological changes present, and quantitative evaluation of the degree of damage in arbitrary units at 6,12,18,24 and 30 weeks intervals starting from the end of infection period [8 weeks] for infected group, and after end of irradiation for irradiated groups. The damage was scored from O-15 in arbitrary units depending on the alterations observed in liver parenchyma, sinusoids and portal tracts. Statistical analysis of the data for all sections determining the mean and standard deviation of four animals was done. Dose-time effect curves were performed to obtain a comparative degree of pathological alterations in the various groups of animals to the controls. From the results obtained it was obvious that the cells of normal liver were more resistant to direct action of radiation and the liver damage occurring at various acute and fractionated exposures was less than that occurring in the Schistosoma infected liver. This was discussed in relation to the dose and duration of irradiation compared to the normal or pathological state of the liver