Effects of High Dose Irradiation on The Leukocyte Life Span

고선양(高線量) 방사선(放射線)이 백혈구(白血球) 수명(壽命)에 미치는 영향(影響)

As a part of studies on acute effects of high dose irradiation the present report was carried out to evaluate the changes of the leukocyte life span in the Newzealand white male rabbits by a single whole body exposure to gamma rays from $^{60}Co$ teleirradiation unit. The exposure was done in dose levels of 100, 300, 550 and 1,000 rad to each experimental group of 10 rabbits. The life span and apparent half survival time of leukocytes, and the elution rate of leukocytes in the circulating blood were measured by McMillan method using $^{51}Cr$. 1. As a critical indicator of radiation hazards of the Newzealand male rabbits, the LD 50/30 and LD 100/30 after whole body exposure was estimated as 550 and 1,000 rads respectively. 2. The life span of leukocyte in the circulation after irradiation was slightly shortened in the 100 rad irradiated group, as compared with the unirradiated control group, but markedly shortened in the 300, 550 and 1,000 rads irradiated group. 3. After irradiation, decrease of leukocyte half survival time in the circulation showed the same pattern as that of leukocytes life span. 4. As the irradiation doses increased, the elution rate of $^{51}Cr$ loss from $^{51}Cr$ tagged leukocytes in the circulation were markedly increased gradually. 5. The life span shortening of leukocytes in the circulation after irradiation seems to occure by two processes of senescence acceleration and early destruction.