'Repair' of fast-neutron and x-ray-induced damage to the permeabilities of red blood cells to sodium and potassium ions and its promotion by ghosts.

Damage to the permeability of red blood cells to Na+ and K+ caused by irradiation with fast neutrons or X-rays was investigated at different post-irradiation incubation temperatures. The extent of Na+ uptake and K+ loss by the cells after either radiation was higher at 4 degrees C than at 37 degrees C, but the extent of 'repair' of the damage caused by fast neutrons was lower than that caused by X-rays. The latter 'repair' was promoted by the addition of ghosts, but the former was not. On the other hand neither 'repair' process was influenced by haemolysates from which ghosts had been removed.