A Study on the radiation effects for the function and structure of rabbit blood platelets in various dose rates

Mature peripheral platelets in rabbits were irradiated with a total 10 Gy of 60Co-γ rays at the average dose rates of 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 1.7 Gy/min. The effects was evaluated from the functional aspect by determining the ability of platelets to aggregate and replease, and the metabolic aspect by examining the kinetics of prostaglandin in platelets. In addition, platelet structure was compared using an electron microscope. The ability of platelets to aggregate and release was accelerated in all irradiated groups, compared with a non-irradiated group, especially in groups with average dose rates of 0.5 Gy/min and 1.0 Gy/min. The amount of MDA, a final product of prostaglandin in platelets, increased in all irradiated groups in comparison with the non-irradiated group, especially in the 0.5 Gy/min, 1.0 Gy/min and 1.5 Gy/min groups. Observation with a scanning electron microscope revealed a clear rock-like appearance of the surface of aggregates of platelets and a larger number of pseudopodia with longer projections in the 1.0 Gy/min group than in the non-irradiated group. Moreover, the surfaces of the aggregates in the 1.7 Gy/min group, but the adhension between psudopodia of the platelet aggregates was weaker than that of 1.0 Gy/min group. In observation with a transmission electron microscope, dense bodies that released their contents were noticed in platelet aggregates, and a stenopeic appearance between psudopodia and between platelets, and density aggregated platelets were observed in the 1.0 Gy/min irradiated group. Vacuolation of granules in platelets was more marked in aggregates of 1.7 Gy/min group than in that of the non-irradiated group, and large numbers of platelets with uneven surfaces were observed. Therefore, the effects of dose rates were found to be closely related to changes in structures, as well as to the inner function of platelets. (author)