The effect of gamma irradiation on the rat liver, intestine and heart muscle mitochondria.
Ultrastructural changes in mitochondria of liver, intestine and heart muscle immediately after irradiation with a dose of 4000 r were studied in rats. Morphometric determinations were carried out for mitochondria. The quantitative stereologic data of the irradiated mitochondria of liver and heart muscle indicated the more advanced changes as compared with those observed in the intestine. Radiation induced changes in mitochondria of enterocytes of crypts and apical villi have shown, that there are no differences between them even in stereological parameters. Although available data indicate that enterocytes of intestine crypts have more radiosensitivity than apical enterocytes. It is concluded that radiosensitivity of tissues and organs "in toto" differs from that of their mitochondria.
D000818:Animals; D005720:Gamma Rays; D007422:Intestines / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008929:Mitochondria, Heart / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008930:Mitochondria, Liver / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D051381:Rats