Search for Immediate Effects of X-Radiation on Frog Nerve-Muscle Preparations

• Published in: Radiation research 1960-04, Vol.12 (4), p.357-370
• Main Authors: Rosen, D., Dawson, K. B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ANIMALS; ELECTRIC METERS; Electrodes; FROGS; Ionizing radiation; IRRADIATION; MICE; MUSCLES; Nerves; NERVOUS SYSTEM; Neuromuscular Junction - radiation effects; Nuclear power; Old Medline; PHYSIOLOGY; Radiation dosage; RADIATION DOSES; RADIATION EFFECTS; RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE; Radiotherapy; Ranidae; Reflexes; SENSITIVITY; Synapses; X RADIATION; X-Rays
• ISSN: 0033-7587; 1938-5404
• DOI: 10.2307/3571044

A search was made for an effect of 140-kv x rays on the frog nerve- muscle preparation. The preparation was examined by stimulating the nerve electrically and recording the muscular response with a standard myograph and smoked drum. At the 50% level of significance doses of 10 kr had no effect, either during irradiation or within about 30 minutes of the end of it, on the muscular contraction or on the irritability, excitability, or latent or refractory periods of the preparation. Doses of 20 kr significantly decreased the amplitude of muscular contraction at the 10% level of significance, though not at the 5% level. By comparing these results with others published for isolated nerves and muscles, it is concluded that the presence of a neuromuscular junction may sensitize the preparation to the action of x rays by a factor of 2 to 3, but by not more than a factor of 5. It is suggested that such sensitizing factors from neuromuscular junctions and neural synapses may multiply up in an intact reflex arc.