The effects of accelerated electrons on Escherichia coli enterobacteria cytotoxic activity

Electron beam effects of the cytotoxic capacity of enterotoxin Escherichia coli on "in vitro" cell colonies have been studied. The VERO cell colonies and tumoral epithelial cells HeLa-2 were treated with different concentrati ons of irradiated and natural entherotoxin (1-1000 mu g/mL). The radiation doses used ranged from 1 to 35 kGy. The irradiation was carried out with AL IN-10 linear accelerator and the dose was measured with calorimetric device s and cellulose triacetate dosimetric films. The accelerated electrons effe cts were estimated by means of the effect of different absorbed radiation d oses on the enterotoxin and on the protein synthesis in cell colonies treat ed with irradiated enterotoxin. The following results were obtainded: a) th ere is a definite dependence between the electron beam irradiation and effe cts on cytotoxic activity of the enterotoxin; b) strong inhibition of prote in synthesis is produced in cell colonies treated with large amounts of ent erotoxin; c) the cytotoxic activity of treated enterotoxin with 35 kGy acce lerated electrons is fully suppressed; d) the VERO cells are more sensitive against natural and irradiated enterotoxin, as compared with tumoral epith elial cells HeLa-2.