DECREASE IN VITAMIN-E LEVELS IN THE BONE-MARROW OF MICE RECEIVING WHOLE-BODY X-RAY-IRRADIATION

Mice were subjected to whole-body x-ray irradiation, and changes in vitamin E content and lipid peroxide levels in various tissues were examined. When mice were irradiated with 6 Gy, vitamin E content (per mg protein) in the bone marrow began to decrease 3 h later and a marked decrease to the level of 30% of that of the controls was observed on day 2. Concomitant with the decrease of vitamin E, an increase of lipid peroxide levels was also observed in the bone marrow. On day 2 after an exposure to doses ranging from 1 to 10 Gy, a dose-dependent decrease of vitamin E and an increase of lipid peroxide levels were observed in the bone marrow with a dose of 3 Gy or more. In contrast, neither a decrease of vitamin E nor an increase of lipid peroxide levels was observed in the liver, kidney, spleen, and testes even with an exposure of up to 10 Gy. After the irradiation, glutathione in the bone marrow decreased, while that in the liver increased. These results suggest that the bone marrow is more highly susceptible to oxidative damage induced by radiation than other tissues.