Cellular response of blood and hepatic tissue to gamma irradiation

BackgroundGamma radiation produces numerous biological perturbations in cells by direct ionization of DNA and cellular targets and by indirect effect through damage by free radical production.AimTo study the cellular response of blood and hepatic tissue to different doses of γ-irradiation.ResultsAlthough relative viscosity and conductivity of hemoglobin were significantly elevated in rats exposed to a single dose of 2 Gy, these elevations were statistically non significant in irradiated rats exposed to 4 and 6 Gy as compared to control animals. Serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were significantly elevated in addition to up-regulation of hepatic NF-кB and down-regulation of p53 and p21 in irradiated groups.ConclusionElevated levels of hepatic NF-κB mRNA and low levels of p53 mRNA prove lack of apoptosis and induction of the inflammatory pathway in hepatic cells to face the harmful effects of the present γ-irradiated model.