Objective To study the effects of whole body X-ray irradiation on serum transaminase indices and structure of liver in rats.
Methods Forty Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups as blank control and other groups exposed to varied doses of X-ray (2 Gy, 4 Gy, and 6 Gy). Except those in the control group, the other 3 groups of rats were exposed to a single X-ray irradiation to the whole body with the designed doses. On the second day after irradiation, the serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) were assayed by sampling blood from abdominal aorta. The structure of liver was observed under optical microscope and electron microscope.
Results Compared with the control group, the ALT levels of the 4 Gy and 6 Gy groups were significantly elevated (P < 0.01). There was no significant differences in the AST levels between the control group and the irradiation groups (P > 0.05). No apparent changes in hepatic structure were found under the optical microscope. However, vacuolated endocytoplasmic reticulum was identified in the 6 Gy group under electron microscope.
Conclusion The serum transaminase indices of rats are changed after X-rays irradiation at 4 Gy and 6 Gy, and 6 Gy irradiation could damage hepatic structure.
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