Changes in the blood system after its extracorporeal irradiation

One-stage extracorporeal beta-radiation of dog blood in a dose of 6-12 Gy is not followed by the development of radiation after-effects. Favourable changes in the peripheral blood content are marked. Erythrocyte carbohydrates undergo adaptation reconstruction with an increase in the percentage of nucleic acids. Over 7 to 30 days of observation the activity of nonspecific immunity factors such as lysozyme, lytic activity of beta-lysines, and phagocytosis also increases. At the same time the antimicrobial action of penicillin is potentiated. The data obtained can be used for correction of upset immune responsiveness.     

Effects of extracorporeal blood irradiation on the lymphocyte population in chronic lymphadenosis

The surface markers of lymphocytes were detected in 18 patients with chronic lymphatic leukemia (CLL), with 9 of them being treated by means of extracorporeal blood irradiation (ECIB) and 9 of them being without any treatment. We found that B-lymphocytes were eliminated by ECIB to a higher degree than it can be recognized by the decrease of lymphocytes. As to their percentage B-cells with ME-receptors or EAC-receptors respectively were partially diminished to a higher degree than the total population of B-cells. Moreover, the pathological Ig-type could be shown to be affected predominantly. The changes of marker profiles and absolute values achieved by ECIB revealed an approach of values in treated patients to those of untreated patients. The investigations make it clear that the determination of lymphocyte subpopulation can be used not only for diagnosis and differential diagnosis of lymphatic system diseases, also for evaluating therapy effects.     

Modelling the cell-mediated immunity in homograft rejection

Lymphocytes which become sensitised at the periphery travel to the regional lymph nodes where they initiate an immunological response by increasing the production of immuno-competent lymphocytes. These lymphocytes migrate into the tissues via the blood stream and bring about the destruction of target cells. These notions, in the present analysis, are translated into a simple mathematical model. The model specifically considers the lymphocyte memory and increased secondary response.     

Effect of extracorporeal blood irradiation on lymphocytes and the lymphatic tissue in a goat

In a long-term study discontinuous extracorporeal blood irradiation (ECIB) was applied to a goat using a 500 Ci-137 Caesium source. Lymphocytes of the peripheral blood were examined by light and electron microscopy. After application of a transit dose of 466,500 rad the lymphocytes in the peripheral blood were found to be decreased from 6,900/microliter to 500/microliter, revealing a complete dissolution of the nuclei in electron microscopic preparations. Histological examinations showed a severe atrophy of the whole lymphatic tissue.     

Animal experimental studies of hemolysis following extracorporeal blood irradiation]

In experimental studies on animals, extracorporal blood irradiation was performed in 3 sheeps and 1 goat by means of 500 Ci 137 cesium source. The sheep died of the sequelae of narcosis, with anaemia being only moderately marked. In the goat a transit dosis of 466566 rad could be applied before the animal died of the sequelae of haemolytic anaemia.     

The influence of the sympathetic innervation on the skin microvascular tone and blood flow oscillations

The influence of the sympathetic innervation on the tone of resistive vessels and blood flow oscillations was studied using laser Doppler flowmetry and skin thermography in 18 healthy subjects (before and after reflex cold and heat tests and local thermal testing), 42 patients with denervation syndromes caused by median nerve damage, and 10 patients with an acute stage of aseptic inflammation after radius fracture. The blood flow oscillations in the range of neurogenic sympathetic influences (0.02–0.052 Hz) supported by low-frequency sympathetic rhythms are an essential component of neurovascular interrelations. The importance of these oscillations is determined by their contribution to an increase in tissue perfusion owing to a decrease in the peripheral resistance and also by the leveling of drastic changes in blood flow and stabilization of microhemodynamics upon pronounced changes in the stationary tone. The high-and low-frequency (tonic and oscillatory, respectively) sympathetic rhythmic activities are expressed in two ways: (1) a synchronous increase or decrease in their amplitudes and (2) frequency dominance. The reactivity of the vessel smooth muscles is an important factor in maintaining the blood flow oscillations. Denervation decreases the oscillation amplitude in the neurogenic range. Under the conditions of local “inflammatory sympatholysis,” reflex tonic effects, rather than oscillatory ones, of the sympathetic impulses are mainly suppressed. An isolated evaluation of the blood flow oscillations in the neurogenic sympathetic range cannot be a measure of sympathetic activity. In studies on its functional state and evaluation of the neurogenic tone (NT) of resistive vessels, it is necessary to take into account the parameters of both stationary and oscillatory components of the NT.     

Clinical treatment of chronic lymphatic leukemia by means of extracorporeal blood irradiation]

A chronic lymphatic leukaemia (CLL) with hepato-splenomegaly was treated in a 76 years old female patient by means of extracorporeal irradiation of blood (ECIB), after which a complete involution of the tumour in the spleen had taken place. Leukocytes initially increased to 35,500/mm3, amounting to 10,700/mm3 later on. The patient died of pneumonia in general cachexia. No signs of CLL could be found macroscopically after autopsy. An involution of the lymphatic infiltration could be identified microscopically in the bone-marrow.