[Effect of gamma irradiation on brain enkephalin hydrolase activity in the rat]

A study was made of the effect of different radiation doses on the brain enzymes degrading enkephalins. Enkephalin aminopeptidase activity decreased during the first 60 min following irradiation with a dose of 774 X 10(-4) C/kg and increased after a dose of 3096 X X 10(-4) C/kg; enkephalinase A exhibited opposite changes. 48 hr after irradiation, enkephalin aminopeptidase activity exceeded the normal level, and no significant changes occurred in encephaliase A activity irrespective of the radiation dose.