Histological effects of low-dose-rate gamma-irradiation. IV. Enzyme-histochemical studies

Regarding the effect of a 10-Gy (1000 rd) acute whole-body gamma-irradiation, significant enzyme activity changes were demonstrated in radiosensitive and less radiosensitive organs of rat by histochemical methods. After irradiation with the same dose, using low (0.0042 Gy/min) dose-rate, the histochemical differences are generally less and their normalization is more rapid. Results similar to those of earlier histological experiments indicate that in case of low-dose-rate irradiation, the regeneration of damaged cells and cell functions, respectively, is sooner starting and more rapidly progressing than with acute irradiation.