Prompt effects of high-level irradiation on animal metabolism

¹ Department of Physiology and Biophysics, and Department of Radiobiology, School of Aviation Medicine, USAF Aerospace Medical Center (ATC), Brooks Air Force Base, Texas

Blood acid-base related components and free amino acids in plasma, spinal fluid, and five tissues were measured in rhesus monkeys exposed to whole-body irradiation doses (500– 30,000 r). Samples collected 2 hours later showed increased acidity in blood. This change was paralleled by a rise in blood lactic acid. No consistent change was found in blood pyruvate. A correlation of these findings with reductions in the arterial CO₂ tension and plasma CO₂ content indicated that the metabolic acidosis was greater than the respiratory alkalosis resulting from increased pulmonary ventilation. Two-dimensional chromatograms indicated that plasma glucose was reduced and plasma uric acid was increased. The altered levels were related to the postirradiation interval and the total dose. The free amino acid content of plasma was increased in proportion to the dose. Of the seven amino acids detected in spinal fluid, an elevated glutamine level was the only consistent change.