Effects of 60Co radiation on synthesis of prostaglandins F2 alpha, E, and thromboxane B2 in lung airways of guinea pigs.

At 1 hr to 14 days after total-body exposure of guinea pigs to 3.0 Gy 60Co, changes were detected in prostaglandin concentrations in bronchial airway tissues. At 3 hr postexposure, tissue levels of PGE were significantly elevated, while at 48 hr transiently elevated levels of PGF2 alpha were observed. By 72 hr, levels returned to control values. Airway synthesis of thromboxane B2 in irradiated animals did not differ from that in controls. Also assessed were the capacities of bronchial airway preparations to respond to H-1 receptor stimulation by the exogenous addition of histamine or transmembrane divalent cation transport stimulation with ionophore. Tissues from irradiated animals demonstrated alterations in the amount and type of prostaglandins generated, varying with time postirradiation.