Re: Hormetic Effects of Radiation should not be limited to cancer

[Bernard Cohen <blc+@PITT.EDU>]

goldinem@SONGS.SCE.COM wrote:



In the discussion of hormetic effects, some folks say that "a low level of

radiological stress may stimulate the immune system." Is there 

anylaboratory evidence to support such a claim?



    ---How about the following:



Effects of radiation on immune response.  Different columns are percent 

of response to various tests in unexposed mice to response in mice 

exposed as indicated [15]. PFC = plaque forming cell; MLC = mixed 

lymphocyte culture, used as  test of T-cell function; Con A = 

concanavalin-A,  lectin that stimulates T-lymphocytes; NK = natural 

killer cells which recognize and kill tumor cells; ADCC = anti-body 

dependent cell mediated cytotoxicity, which assists NK activity.



Test                               2.5 

cGy                                 5 cGy                          

       7.5cGy



PFC Reaction             110                                       

143                                         174



MLC Reaction             109                                       

133                                         122



Reaction to Con A      191                                        

155                                         530



NK activity                    112                                       

109                                         119



ADCC Activity             109                                       

128                                         132



Ref. 15:  Liu SJ.  Multilevel mechanisms of stimulatory effect of low 

dose radiation on immunity. In: Sugahara T, Sagan LA, Aoyama T, ed. Low 

Dose Irradiation and Biological Defense Mechanisms. Amsterdam, Elsevier 

Science, 1992:225-232



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