Effect of Cortisone on Serum Protein of Gamma-Irradiated Mice

Male mice of strain SM were given 128 rads of single whole-body gamma-irradiation of , 14 to 16 minutes following a subcutaneous injection of physiological saline or cortisone acetate (1mg/day, for 4 days preirradiation). The serum protein patterns and the level of the total serum proteins were determined at various time intervals after exposure. Total serum protein was determined by Biuret method and serum protein fractions and A/G ratio were determined by paper electrophoresis using Whatman No.1 filter paper and barbital buffer (pH 8.6, ionic strength 0.06). 1. Total body gamma-irradiation caused a rise in the level of the total serum protein at 1 day and in the level of the serum albumin-globulin ratio at 5 days in both cortisone acetate-treated and control groups. 2. Cortisone acetate delayed the total serum protein rise at 5, 10, and 20 days after exposure. 3. Cortisone acetate delayed the A/G ratio rise at 1, 5, and 10 days after exposure. 4. It may be inferred that cortisone greatly reduces the sensitivity of mice to gamma-irradiation on the blood protein, probided that cortisone is given before the exposure.