Radiation-dependent changes in leukocyte secondary fluorescence of rats

The change in secondary fluorescence (acridine orange staining) of rat leukocytes after single whole-body X-irradiation with 12.5, 25, 50, 100, and 200 rad (0.235, 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 Gy), after fractionated whole-body X-irradiation with 3 x 25, 3 x 50, and 3 x 100 rad (3 x 0.25, 3 x 0.5, 3 x 1 Gy) as well as after application of 0.4 μCi of 137Cs/g body weight (14.8 kBq 137Cs/g body weight) was examined by means of fluorescence microscopy. In comparison to the controls in all cases a radiation- and dose-dependent increase of the percentage of red fluorescent cells could be observed. This effect reaches a maximum 48 hours after irradiation and 6 days after the application of 137Cs, respectively. Whereas the portion of red fluorescent cells after whole-body irradiation was readjusted to the normal value within a distinct period (12 days) and increased again after every repeated irradiation, it remained at a relatively constant level after application of 137Cs in the three weeks' observation period. (author)