The effects of X-ray on the radii of Red Blood Cells

Abstract

X-ray could be used in different useful purposes either diagnostic or therapeutic. However, the living tissues such as blood can be negatively affected with the ionizing radiation like X-ray when the body was exposed. The irregularly effect can involve the mechanical features of RBCs like shapes and radius which represent the main factors in functional performance of RBCs. Thus, any defect in these characters could lead to lose the RBC roles. Our study aimed to find the morphological changes of RBCs when they exposed to X-ray by measuring the radii using He-Ne laser technique. Three blood groups; O, AB and A, were exposed to different X-ray doses; 60, 80, 100 and 120 Kilo Electron Volt (KeV) for 1 minutes and the radius was checked after applying low power laser beams which was previously used for accurate measurement to the RBC radius compared to biological measuring techniques. The results showed that the radii of fringes (r) of irradiated RBCs for the tested groups were smaller than that of non-radiated RBCs for all X-ray doses. The radii of fringes (r) directly and significantly increase with increase the distance between the slide and screen (D). Radii of the tested RBC (d) groups were significantly altered compared to control groups which could relate to impairment of sodium and potassium pump mechanism which can lead to loss the RBC membrane permeability. Thus, RBCs uptake or loss the materials and liquids resulting in decreasing or increasing their sizes.