Altered collagen metabolism in radiation-induced interstitial pulmonary fibrosis

In the present study, we review the relationship of collagen metabolism, morphology, and physiologic function to the development of radiation-induced fibrosis as determined by work in our laboratory. Included are observations made on beagle dogs and Syrian hamsters which received single, short-term inhalation exposures to either alpha- or beta-emitting radionuclides. Comparisons are also made with results of the external irradiation of Syrian hamster lungs