Electron-Microscopic Changes across Irradiated Rat Intestinal Villi

Abstract

Morphological changes in irradiated rat intestinal villi were observed under an electron microscope. Neither thiamine transport nor the fine structure in the epithelium of the villi was significantly altered 1 hr or 1 day after 525 r whole-body x irradiation. Focal edema was observed. On the 3rd day after irradiation new abnormal epithelial cells appeared and thiamine transport was reduced. A partial recovery of intestinal thiamine on the 4th to 6th day after irradiation was not prevented by the reappearance of edematous changes and the development of microscopic hemorrhage. Sustained incomplete recovery of intestinal thiamine transport on days 10 to 17 was attributed to focal areas of epithelial degeneration. (C.H.)