TNF, IL-1 AND IL-6 IN CIRCULATING BLOOD AFTER TOTAL-BODY AND LOCALIZED IRRADIATION IN RATS

The levels of TNF, IL-1 and IL-6 in circulating blood of female WAG/Ri j rats were assessed both after total-body irradiation (TBI) and local ized irradiation of the right hind leg. The results show that enhanced levels of IL-1 in the circulation reflect a stress situation presumab ly resulting from handling and halothane anesthesia of the animal. Nei ther localized irradiation nor TBI resulted in further enhanced levels of IL-1. Both TBI and localized irradiation, lead to a small but sign ificant increase in IL-6 levels in serum from circulating blood. After TBI this increase dissipated rapidly, 24 h after TBI increased levels are not found. After localized irradiation IL-6 levels remain elevate d for a longer period. Still two weeks after irradiation, the longest time investigated, increased levels were observed. We did not observe increased TNF levels after localized irradiation or after TBI.