X-Ray Induced Changes in the Epidermis of Guinea Pigs - A Morphometeric Study

Abstract

Objective: Measurement of changes in the thickness of epidermis of different locations in guinea pigs after single 
dose X-ray irradiation.  
Study Design: A prospective experimental study.  
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate 
Medical Centre Karachi from 2008 to 2009. 
Materials and Methods: Thirty animals were taken and divided into two groups which were subdivided into three 
subgroups containing five animals each, according to the time of sacrifice i.e. 48 hours, 15th day and 45th day 
respectively. A single whole body x-radiation in a dose of 5 Gy. Animals were sacrificed under ether anaesthesia 
after completion of their respective period. Tissues were processed and 4 to 5 micron thick paraffin embedded 
sections were cut, and stained with H&E.  
Results: Desquamation and decrease in thickness of epidermis was present after 48 hours which shows highly 
significant result when compared to control (P- < 0.001). After wards progressively increase in hyperkeratinization 
was noted after 15 days which is nonsignificant (P- >0.05)   when compared to control. After 45th day proliferation 
of basal cells occurred which increased the thickness of epidermis near to control.  
Conclusion: The study concludes that x-radiation produces deterministic epidermal changes in all three sites i.e. 
face, abdomen and back of guinea pigs