[The effect of ionizing radiation on human muscle tissue]

The effect of ionizing radiation (gamma-irradiation of 60Co, doses from 10 Gy to 15 kGy) on human muscle tissue was studied using a biopsy material. Destructive alterations in muscle proteins were observed beginning from the dose of 1.0 kGy: appearance of new protein fractions with molecular mass 68-160 kDa and 18-36 kDa. Resistance of muscle proteins to the trypsin effect was unaltered, while the rate of pronase-induced hydrolysis was slightly increased, about 1.2-fold. Content of water and biomechanical properties of the tissue were unaltered, but the modulus of elasticity was decreased approximately 3-fold after treatment with maximal doses of the ionizing radiation used.