Pituitary-adrenal axis activity in rats after whole-body irradiation. Comparison with plasma cortisol evolution in four cases of human protracted whole-body irradiation.
Plasma ACTH and adrenal and plasma corticosterone levels were studied in rats during 30 days after LD50 irradiation. Plasma cortisol levels were studied in man after protracted whole-body irradiation. In both cases, a period of great instability of adrenal function was associated with bad clinical conditions. Then, a period of adrenal dysfunctioning, reversible with time, occurred in rats and in one patient.
D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008297:Male; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000528:radiation effects*; D051381:Rats; D013997:Time Factors; D014916:Whole-Body Irradiation
D003345:Corticosterone; D006854:Hydrocortisone