Abstract
Male albino rats were continuously irradiated on a 60 R per 20 hour day schedule for 27 days and tested on days 21, 23, 25, and 27. Active transport of U- ¹⁴C glucose was measured using the inverted gut technique. Oxygen utilization of diaphragm muscle strips was measured using the Gilson Respirometer. ¹⁴CO₂ production was measured following an intraperitoneal injection of U- ¹⁴C glucose. Blood levels of ¹⁴C were compared. Mitochondria were isolated and their activity was measured. These studies were correlated to a depression in the rate of weight gain or of weight loss seen in rates irradiated at these continuous levels. There was no difference between the controls and irradiated animals in their ability to absorb glucose. The irradiates exhibited a depression in their ability to absorb glucose. The irradiates exhibited a depression in the amount of ¹⁴CO₂ produced, the amount of O₂ used, and in mitochondrial function, when compared to the controls. It is suggested that irradiation is impairing some metabolic pathway involved in the electron transport chain.
Ziller, Henry Hubert (1969). Metabolic studies on the continuously irradiated rat. Doctoral dissertation, Texas A&M University. Texas A&M University. Libraries. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /DISSERTATIONS -176254.