title: Radiation effects on the parotid gland of mammals. Part 2: Modifications of plasma and parotid amylase activity.
abstract: The early modifications of the activity of plasma and parotid amylase have been evaluated in rats after whole-body irradiation in different experimental conditions. The modifications observed in the rat are less evident than in humans. The results have shown an initial decrease and a subsequent increase appearing significant 74 hours after irradiation. This could be due to a direct action of ionizing radiation on the parotid glands. However we cannot exclude that the increase of alpha-amylase could be determined by the intestinal radiation syndrome. In fact, this syndrome leads to a reduced food uptake, and consequently alpha-amylase could accumulate in parotids.
mesh_terms: D000681:Amylases / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000201:enzymology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D051381:Rats; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000681:Amylases