Key result
Soft X-radiation causes loss of contraction and ~20% mass loss in myofibrils.
Why the study?
The effect of soft X-radiation on the function and structure of myofibrils from striated muscles was investigated to understand radiation-induced damage.
Soft X-radiation induces dose-dependent functional loss and structural degradation in isolated myofibrils, partially preventable by free radical scavenging.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Radiation damage to isolated myofibrils warrants caution in high-dose experimental models; leaves open relevance to clinical radiation cardiotoxicity pending in vivo studies.
Myofibrils, the contractile organelles from striated muscles, have been examined in the X-ray microscope to determine the effect of radiation on their function and structure. Using X-rays of energy 350-385 eV in the water window we find that after an exposure to 7.5 x 10(5) photons/micron2 (calculated to give an absorbed dose of 20,000 Gy) the myofibrils will no longer contract. The use of the free radical scavenging agent, DMSO, gives some protection to the fibrils. It has also been found that after this much irradiation the fibrils lose up to 20% of their mass. Further substantial mass loss occurs on subsequent irradiation. After 25 times the loss-of-function exposure only 30% of the mass remains. Analysis of a series of images of the same myofibril covering this range of exposures shows that the mass is preferentially lost in some areas of the structure and consequently significant structural changes occur.
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Bennett et al. (1993) studied Myofibrils from striated muscles. Soft X-radiation was evaluated on Loss of contraction and mass. Exposure of myofibrils to soft X-radiation (20,000 Gy) resulted in loss of contraction and up to 20% mass loss, with further structural changes and mass loss upon subsequent irradiation.
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