Effect of radiation on growing long bones of young albino rats

ABSTRACT

The deleterious effects of radiation have been recognized for a almost century and continue to be seen today, because of improved survival in patients treated for malignancy with radiotherapy with or without other treatments. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of radiation on the weight and growth of long bones on young Albino rat litters. Anatomy Department, Basic Medical Science Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center Karachi. July 2008 to December 2008. 20 litters [10 days age] of Albino rats were divided in two groups. Group A [control], and Group B, was given 5Gy gamma radiation to whole body for 2.02 mm. from 60-unit cobalt chamber. These groups were further divided into 2 sub-groups, each comprising of 5 litters, for 2 weeks and 4 weeks study. Their weight was observed weekly and their CRL, fore limb and hind limb was measured at the end of study. At the end of study, the animals were sacrificed under anesthesia; their long bones were removed and measured with Digital caliper. A significance decrease in the weight of irradiated animals was noted. There was a significant decrease in the measurement of CRL, Forelimb and Hind limb and there was a significant decrease in the length and width of long bones of radiated animals. Total body irradiation causes growth retardation, before epiphyseal plate closure. Irradiation of growing bone typically results in retardation of longitudinal growth