GAMMA-IRRADIATION EFFECTS ON CULTURED-CELLS - INVESTIGATED BY THE MTTMETHOD

Effects of gamma-irradiation, given in the range of 5 to 30 Gy on Cask i cells (Epitheloid carcinoma from the cervix) were investigated by th e MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) -2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide ) method. Results were compared with data assessed simultaneously from cell number counts. The sizes of cells irradiated with 10 to 30 Gy we re larger than those of unirradiated ones, and each irradiated cell re duced a larger amount of MTT than did each unirradiated cell. Irradiat ion in the above range, therefore causes Caski cells to lose their abi lity to divide, but the effect on the mitochondria was very slight. Ap plication of the MTT method to the irradiated cells should be done wit h care. Because, in the irradiated cells depending on the irradiation dose, the MTT activity does not correlate to the cell number.