Comparison of the effects of inhaled alpha- and beta-emitting radionuclides on pulmonary function of the dog

Pulmonary function changes of representative dogs after inhalation of a relatively insoluble form of 144Ce in fused aluminosilicate particles and 238PuO2 were compared. Both radionuclide forms had approximately the same effective half-life, but the 238PuO2 irradiated 11 percent of the lung while the 144Ce irradiated 100 percent. Both groups developed restrictive lung disease progressing to pulmonary failure but the sequence of functional changes differed. The first change in dogs that inhaled 144Ce was a reduced CO diffusing capacity followed later by changes in breathing pattern, lung compliance and alveolar-capillary O2 exchange. The first change in dogs that inhaled 238PuO2 was an increase in respiratory frequency which persisted for several months before nearly simultaneous changes in diffusing capacity, compliance and gas mixing. An impairment in alveolar-capillary O2 exchange occurred later in dogs that inhaled 238PuO2. Functional alterations of both groups in pulmonary failure were similar. The differences in the pattern of functional changes were thought to be related to differences in dose pattern, but the exact relationships are unknown