CHANGED ACTIVITIES OF BRAIN ENZYMES INVOLVED IN NEUROTRANSMITTER METABOLISM IN RATS EXPOSED TO DIFFERENT QUALITIES OF IONIZING RADIATION |
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| Authors: | G N Catravas C G McHale |
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| Institution: | Department of Neurobiology, Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Bethesda, MD 20014, U.S.A. |
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| Abstract: | —The effect of different qualities of ionizing radiation on the activity of brain enzymes involved in the metabolism of neurotransmitters in specific regions of the brain of rats was investigated. Groups of Sprague-Dawley adult male rats were exposed to approx. 18,000 rads of radiation either rich in neutrons or rich in gamma rays. It was found that, when the animals were exposed to radiation rich in neutrons, monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity was markedly decreased in all brain areas studied. In contrast, a very marked increase in the activity of this enzyme was observed when the animals received the same dose of radiation rich in gamma rays. Relatively minor changes were observed in the activity of choline acetyl transferase (ChAc). Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity did not change appreciably. |
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