A trial with early biological detection of ionizing radiation based on estimates of changes in the number of hypersegmented neutrophils in peripheral blood
Zák, M.; Uhlírová, A.; Rezný, Z.
Acta Universitatis Carolinae. Medica 21(1-2): 187-198
1975
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-7116 PMID: 1229877 Document Number: 95337
Changes in the number of hypersegmented neutrophils caused by different exposures to X-rays were studied. The changes were determined after exposures of mice to 25, 50, 100, 600, 700 and 1000 R. The control group was not irradiated. The time interval following the time of exposure was 1, 3, 5, 24, 27, 29, 48 and 53 hours. The number of hypersegmented nuclei of neutrophils increased as early as 1 h after irradiation and already after an exposure of 25 R. The subsequent exposures were all significantly characterized by an increase in the number of hypersegmented neutrophils. The increase persisted throughout the period of study, but the course was not entirely smooth. Changes in the number of hypersegmented neutrophils on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd days of observation were increased in proportion to the magnitude of the exposure. Similarly, the relations between the individual groups, irradiated by different exposures, were all significant. Changes in the number of hypersegmented neutrophils may indicate the degree of damage caused to the organism by ionizing radiation.