Radiation effects and nonspecific resistance

It was shown that the specific physicochemical fundamental processes in the biological level are superimposed by nonspecific effects and responses. The most important systems of nonspecific endogenous defence - HVL-NNR system and RES - are activated by irradiation. Even after the impact of high doses they are still capable of contributing to the organism's radiation resistance although its molecular and cellular component may well have been changed and injured by then. A remarkable fact is that, in the defence against radiation injuries, both endogenous active substances and bacterial toxins can be used which are released either by the injury itself or will penetrate into the body via the intestines. Ionizing radiation can be equated with chemical substances concerning their biological effects and defence against radiation injuries. This is shown, too, by their agreement in dose-response relationships. The biological quality of pharmacologico-toxicological effects is a function of the dose: small doses have a beneficial effect, large ones a detrimental one. It has been found that this phenomenon equally applies to ionizing radiation. (orig./MG)