Effect of ionizing radiation on rat peritoneal macrophages

Resumo

This study aims to evaluate the survival rate of peritoneal rat macrophages after exposure to 3 & 6 Gy ionizing radiation fields, respectively. Cells were cultured in multiwell plates (37 ºC, 5% CO2), separated in 3 groups: GI–control; GII-cells irradiated with 3 Gy; GIII–cells irradiated with 6 Gy, using a 4 MeV particle accelerator. After irradiation cells were incubated for 2h30 = T0, 13 h = T1, 20 h = T2, 36 h = T3, 70 h = T4, 90 h = T5 post-irradiation. To evaluate the cell’s viability the colorimetric MTT test has been used and colour intensity was measured by micro ELISA. Visual control was done with a contrast phase optical microscope. Irradiation with 6 Gy is the most harmful for these cells, showing death of the majority of them. 3 Gy is also aggressive but enables a higher survival rate. Time is also an important factor to which cell death is proportional. Our results show a decrease of living cells with time and higher doses.