Survival Rate and Biological Effect of Chronic Medium-Dose-Rate Gamma Radiation Exposed to Mice

장기 중선량률 감마선 피폭에 의한 마우스의 생존율 및 생물학적 영향 평가

Late effects of chronic exposure to gamma radiation are potential hazards to worker in radiation facilities as well as to the general public. Recently, chronic gamma radiation exposure effects have become a serious concern. Using a total of 60 mice, we studied the biological effects of medium-dose chronic exposure to gamma radiation. Sixty female 6-week-old specific pathogen free Balb/c mice were randomly divided into six groups (five groups irradiated and one non-irradiated control group). Irradiation was carried out for 7 days using gamma rays at dose rates of 119.65, 238.10, 357.14, 476.19 and $595.24mGy\;h^{-1}$ with total doses 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 Gy. After irradiation, we determined survival rate of gamma radiation exposed mice during 1 week and 476.19 and $595.24mGy\;h^{-1}$ exposed group mice showed less 10% of survival rate. Otherwise, 119.65, 238.10 and $357.14mGy\;h^{-1}$ exposed group mice were survived each 100%, 80% and 70%. Half of survived mice after 1 week are immediately sacrifice and counted body and spleen weights. Compared with control non-irradiated group, total body weights and spleen weights isolated from 119.65, 238.10 and 357.14 irradiated group mice showed significant decreased. However, no significant alteration was observed between 119.65, 238.10 and $357.14mGy\;h^{-1}$ irradiated group. Overall, our results show for the first time that medium-dose chronic gamma radiation has the potential to stimulation of biological effects.