Dependence of Radiation Diarrhœa on the Presence of Bile in the Intestine

Abstract

SYMPTOMS after exposure of the abdominal region of rats to X-radiation doses of 1,000 r., or greater, almost invariably include diarrhœa beginning at 3 days after X-ray irrespective of the doso. If death does not occur within the next 3 or 4 days there is a rapid improvement and the diarrhœa stops. Both the early onset and rapid improvement are usually attributed to the short turnover-time of the epithelial cells of the intestine. However, when the biliary flow was interrupted by ligation or cannulation of the common bile duct the incidental observation was made that diarrhœa did not occur^1,2.