Effect of irradiation on microvasculature: a quantitative study.
In clinical radiation therapy, normal tissues and organs are unavoidably irradiated during the course of treatment of neoplastic diseases. Rubin and Cassaret [Clinical radiation pathology. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders, 1968; Vols 1, 2] have postulated that microvascular damage may be the major contributing factor to late manifestation of radiation damage. It has been theorized that vascular leakage of the protein-rich fluid leads to fibrosis caused by the accumulation of fibroblasts and macrophages. Vascular changes after irradiation have been demonstrated qualitatively. To quantitate the alteration in permeability characteristics at different doses and time-dose fractionations, we have developed an isotopic technique using 125I, 22Na, and 3H2O that allows us to define vascular, interstitial, and intracellular water spaces. Using these values it is possible to quantitate the vascular changes and membrane integrity. Results show that the permeability of the vascular bed is altered by irradiation.
D000818:Animals; D002199:Capillary Permeability / Q000528:radiation effects; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011817:Rabbits; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism
D012709:Serum Albumin