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Effect of X-rays on selenium content in rat jaws
M Demajo1, I Djujić, O Ivanisević-Milovanović
1Institute of Nuclear Sciences, Belgrade, Yugoslavia.
Summary
X-radiation impairs dental development, and this study explored selenium's role. While hypothermia prevented selenium loss in irradiated rat jaws, it did not prove selenium deficiency causes growth retardation.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Developmental Biology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- X-radiation exposure during development is known to impair dental growth.
- Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element with antioxidant properties, potentially influencing tissue response to radiation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of selenium (Se) in mitigating radiation-induced dental growth retardation in young rats.
- To determine if hypothermia affects selenium levels in jaws following X-ray exposure.
Main Methods:
- Heads of 8-day-old female rats were exposed to 9.6 Gy X-rays, with one group under deep hypothermia for radioprotection.
- Selenium concentrations in upper and lower jaws were quantified using hydride generation atomic absorption spectrophotometry.
- Comparison of Se levels between irradiated, hypothermic-irradiated, and control groups.
Main Results:
- Irradiated rats showed significantly lower Se concentration in lower jaws compared to controls and hypothermic-irradiated rats.
- Upper jaw Se concentration was lower in irradiated rats than hypothermic-irradiated rats, but not significantly different from controls.
- Hypothermia prevented significant Se loss in jaws post-irradiation compared to nonirradiated controls.
Conclusions:
- Hypothermia can prevent radiation-induced selenium loss in developing rat jaws.
- The study could not establish that selenium loss is the direct cause of radiation-induced growth retardation.
- The protective effect of selenium retention against radiation damage was not proven.