GLUCOSE-METABOLISM IN BONE-MARROW CELLS AND GRANULOCYTES OF ADULT MICE AFTER X-RAY (5 GY) IRRADIATION - RELATIONSHIP TO CELL FUNCTIONALITY

Our experiments focused on the metabolic implications of the residual haemopoietic damage in adult mice given 5 Gy X-rays. Bone marrow cells from irradiated mice exhibited an increase in protein synthesis and a decrease in ATP levels, which could be related to the enhancement of the proliferative activity of haemopoietic precursor cells. However, t he kinetic parameters (V-max and K-m) of glucose uptake, the glycolyti c flux and the hexose monophosphate (HMP) shunt activity were similar to those found in the control group. On the other hand, a reduction of glucose uptake (V-max) was found in both resting and stimulated granu locytes from irradiated mice. This reduction was accompanied by a decr ease in the glycolytic rate and ATP levels. However, HMP shunt activit y was similar in resting granulocytes in both the control and the irra diated mice. The stimulation by PMA produced a significantly higher in crease in the activity of the pathway in granulocytes from the irradia ted mice and was in accordance with the enhancement of superoxide anio n production that has been previously described in these cells.