[Xanthine oxidase activity of thymocytes exposed to x-radiation]

Xanthine oxidase activity in thymocytes was studied at different time intervals after X-irradiation with doses of 0.5, 2 and 8 Gy. It was shown that 3 h and later after irradiation, dehydrogenase activity of the enzyme was converted into oxidase one. In the case of arresting the proteolysis by the effect of low doses (up to 0.5 Gy) and at early times the possibility of conversion of the enzyme into the dehydrogenase form was retained. The hyperactivity of the oxidase form of xanthine oxidase was probably a factor of expressing the proteolysis response and cell lysis.