US EPA

2137917 

Journal Article 

The Effect of X-Radiation on Tumour Production by a Chemical Compound in Mice, and the Associated Blood Changes 

Mayneord, WV; Parsons, LD 

1937 

Yes 

Journal of Pathology and Bacteriology
ISSN: 0368-3494 

NIOSH/00129336 

45 

35-48 

Blood changes were investigated in mice injected with sodium-1,2,5,6-dibenzanthracene-9,10-endo-alpha,beta-succinate (63041430) and exposed to radiation. The compound was injected subcutaneously in the right flank 3 times a week in doses of 0.2 cubic centimeters. Of the 106 mice, 54 were irradiated either in a single dose of 550 roentgens (r) 5 hours preinjection, in a single dose of 550r 43 days postinjection, or in ten doses of 50r each given on alternate days before and including the date of first injection. Blood counts were taken prior to irradiation and the first injection, and usually at 2 week intervals until the time of tumor appearance, when more frequent counts were made until death. Irradiated mice developed sarcomas at an earlier date and in greater numbers than nonirradiated mice. No differences in tumor production corresponding to the variations in time of X-ray exposure were observed. Thirty five sarcomas in irradiated mice and 15 in nonirradiated mice occurred. In the irradiated animals, blood reaction consisted of an initial fall in total white cell count immediately following irradiation; a subsequent rise in total white cell count (either at or above normal values) with a slight secondary fall; a fall in the absolute number of lymphocytes during the initial fall; and frequently, a corresponding rise in the neutrophil polymorphs. In irradiated and nonirradiated mice developing sarcomas, the onset of tumor growth was marked by a rise in the white cell count; a rapid fall in the absolute number of lymphocytes with a corresponding rapid rise in the neutrophil polymorph count; a gradual increase in the number of immature cells from less than 500 to over 8,000 (generally reaching a maximum at death); a distinct change in the size and nuclei of the neutrophil polymorphs; and a constant increase in the number of eosinophil cells to as high as 5500, compared to a high of 2000 in controls. The most obvious feature in blood counts from irradiated and nonirradiated mice injected with the compound but not developing tumors was high lymphocyte concentrations of up 37,000, and low polymorph concentrations of less than 10,000. This was also true of radiated and nonirradiated controls.