The role of free radicals in the development of radiation interstitial pneumonitis.
We examined the morphologic changes in the lung tissue of Wistar rats after chest irradiation and determined sequentially the content of free radicals (FR) using electron spin resonance. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was also assessed using the chemical glow method of xanthine oxidase. After chest irradiation, the content of FR in the lung progressively increased and the activity of SOD progressively decreased. We discuss here the role of the FR in the developing process of radiation interstitial pneumonitis.
Animals↗