ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTS OF LOW DOSE X-RAY RADIATION ON THE LIVER OF WISTAR ALBINO RATS

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effects of low dose x-ray radiation on the liver in Wistar albino rats. A total of twenty (20) adult male Wistar albino rats, weighing 130-160g were assigned into two groups (groups I and II) of 10 rats each. Group I rats were neither irradiated (control) while group II rats were irradiated. Group II rats were exposed twice at an interval of 60 seconds to xray radiation at a source to skin distance (SSD) of 70 cm to deliver a total radiation dose of 18.4mGy at the rate of 9.2mGy/exposure using 100kVp and 30mAs exposure factors and 15 as the quality factor of the X-ray machine (P). Two milliliters (2ml) of blood for serum preparations was aseptically collected from each of the rats in the two groups at post irradiation days 1 and 7. Serum ALT, total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB) were determined using conventional methods. Data obtained were analysed using independent t-Test. The mean value of ALT in group II rats at day 7 post irradiation was slightly higher than the control group. However, the variation was not statistically significant compared to the control. The mean values of serum total protein and albumin in the irradiated and unirradiated control group did not differ significantly at post irradiation days 1 and 7. In conclusion, findings from this study indicated that exposure of rats to acute low dose x-ray radiation did not significantly alter the hepatic function indices. Thus, acute exposure to x-ray radiation may not affect the liver.