Abstract
Summary
Evidence obtained from an experiment with rats of the Long-Evans strain suggests that mid-lethal whole body X-irradiation (710 r) may directly reduce tissue ascorbic acid. In rats of the Wistar strain, however, except for the adrenal glands, a higher dose (1000 r) did not result in an immediate reduction in tissue ascorbic acid but rather a tendency to increase was noted. In both strains, the effect of X-irradiation on the adrenal ascorbic acid could be ascribed to activation of the pituitary. In the Wistar strain animals, the changes in the ascorbic acid of the liver and blood could also be explained by this mechanism.
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