Title: Effect of Food Preserved with Ionizing Radiation on Restoration of Enzyme Activity and Total Protein of Rat Liver

Authors: Rosenthal, O.

Publishers: School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

Year: 1960

Sponsors: DA-49-007-MD-861

Subjects: Enzyme Activity and Total Protein of Rat Liver.

Comments: (Author) Abstract: This final report summarizes results of seven series of short-term depletion-repletion experiments which aimed at appraising the efficacy of radiation-sterilized beef to restore hepatic protein and hepatic enzyme of protein-depleted young adult male Wistar rats. The enzymes studied were rhodanese, glucose-6-monophosphatase, cyanide-resistant alkaline phosphatase. The conclusion was reached that canned ground raw beef sterilized with ionizing radiation at 5.6 megared [A.B.'s comment.: =56 kGy] and incubated at 37C for three weeks incorporated into rations supplemented with minerals and vitamins was as effective as control beef and non-incubated irradiated beef in restoring protein content and enzyme activity of rat liver after protein depletion alone or followed by partial hepatectomy. -- (Reber et al.) The enzymes studied were glucose-6-monophosphatase, cyanide resistant alkaline phosphatase, and cyanide sensitive alkaline phosphatase. Each experimental series involved three nutritional periods designated as a) acclimatization; b) depletion and c) restoration. The diets used in the three nutritional periods were: a) 18% casein containing semisynthetic diet; b) protein-free semisynthetic diet in which the casein and part of the sucrose were replaced by either the control beef or irradiated beef (2x). The canned ground beef was stored at -20C. It was concluded that canned ground raw beef sterilized with ionizing radiation (2x) and incubated at 37C for 3 weeks, when incorporated into rations supplemented with minerals and vitamins, was as effective as nonirradiated beef and nonincubated irradiated beef in restoring protein content and enzyme activity of rat liver after protein depletion alone or in combination with partial hepatectomy. [A.B.'s comment: Reber's 2x means that the dose was 55.8 kGy; that is, 2 times the sterilizing dose which at that time was considered to be 27.9 kGy]