UrFU Student Revealed That after Irradiation the Cells of the Body Change Their Shape

12:08, August 1, 2018

According to the study, radiation influences abdominal cavity and lungs the most

The graduate student of the Department of Biology and Fundamental Medicine of UrFU, Lina Alhaddad from Syria, in her graduation work, revealed that X-rays affect the cells of the immune system.

‘It is known that people exposed to radiation therapy may experience damage to the immune system, and as a result, various pathological processes may develop. Therefore, the study of morphological and physiological changes in the organs of the immune system under the influence of ionizing radiation remains an urgent problem of medicine and radiobiology,’ explains Lina Alkhaddad.

Lina examined macrophages (cells that play a role in the formation of immunity) of various organs: lungs, abdominal cavity, spleen, liver and used a device for deep X-ray therapy as a source of radiation.

‘Short-term decline in viability is characteristic for groups of fixed macrophages of the liver and spleen; in groups of free peritoneal and alveolar macrophages the viability of the cells is not disturbed,’ says the researcher. ‘The study also reviled specific sensitivity of macrophages isolated from various organs to the effect of a single X-ray radiation in doses of 20 cGy1, 5 and 10 Gy. Sensitivity is manifested in a change in the viability, morphological characteristics and enzymatic activity of cells.’

In other words, Lina Alhaddad found out that the single exposure to X-rays affects the size and shape of macrophages and their nuclei. Cells of the liver increase, which indicates their activation (fight with radiation); the spleen cells decrease, which may indicate damage to macrophages after irradiation.

Thus, the researcher came to the conclusion that X-rays affect the immune system, causing a change in functions, which can disrupt immunity and in some cases lead to the death of immune cells.