The effects of ionizing radiation on the dividing cells of the conjunctival epithelium.
The influence of an X-ray dose of 10 Gy (1000 rads) on mitosis in the rat conjunctival epithelium was assessed. A mitotic inhibition began 1 hour postirradiation and continued for 4 days. The mitotic index was depressed to 10% of control values. After 5 days postirradiation, the mitotic index surpassed the control values peaking at 7 days postirradiation. The spindle axes of cells in telophase of the perilimbal rat conjunctival epithelium assume a characteristic, three dimensional orientation relative to the limbus. Ionizing radiation did not disrupt this organization at any time postirradiation. In fact, the frequency of mitotic figures preferentially aligned in irradiated tissue was enhanced during the mitotic rebound.
D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division / Q000528:radiation effects; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000166:cytology / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008940:Mitotic Index / Q000528:radiation effects; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D008941:Spindle Apparatus / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000648:ultrastructure