Changes in nitric oxide content, anti-superoxide anion radicals and total ability of anti-oxidize in rat after distinct stage of irradiation

Objective: To investigate the changes in nitric oxide (NO) content, anti-superoxide anion radicals and total ability of anti-oxidize in rat after irradiation damage. Methods: The five groups rats were irradiated with 60Co gamma rays (0.4, 0.8, 1.6, 3.2 and 6.4 Gy). The NO content, anti-superoxide anion radicals and total ability of anti-oxidization outside-inside cell were measured after' distinct stages of irradiation. Results: (1) At 1 day after irradiation, the content of NO was significantly increased outside-inside cell and the range of changes was related to the increase of irradiation dosage. At 21 days after irradiation, the content of NO was lower than that at 1 day after irradiation, but the levels of NO at dose over 0.8 Gy were still higher than that in normal group. (2) Irradiation could hurt the defensive ability of the free radicals, and the degree of harm had relation with the irradiated dose. The defensive ability of the flee radicals could recover after low irradiated dose, but it recovered slowly over 1.6 Gy dose and never recovered over 3.2 Gy dose due to animal death. Conclusions: Irradiation could induce the injury of anti-superoxide anion radicals and total ability of anti-oxidize, and increase the content of nitric oxide. This degree of changes was related to the irradiated dosage. In convalescence stage after irradiation, these abnormal changes could be significantly improved. (authors)