The elevation of blood levels of zinc protoporphyrin in mice following
whole body irradiation
TL Walden, PS Draganac and WR Farkas
Elevation of zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) levels in the blood has served as an
indicator of lead poisoning and iron deficiency anemia for many years. We
have discovered that sublethal doses of whole body irradiation with x-rays
also elevates ZPP 2-3-fold over normal levels. The ZPP level does not begin
to increase until days 12-14 postirradiation and peaks between days 18 and
20 before returning to normal levels between days 28 and 35. Increasing the
radiation dose delays the onset of the rise in ZPP, but does not affect the
magnitude of the elevation. At lethal doses, ZPP elevation is not observed.
Neither of the two previously described mechanisms that cause elevations of
ZPP, namely iron deficiency and inhibition of ferrochelatase, are
responsible for the radiation-induced elevation of ZPP. The elevation of
ZPP appears to be correlated with the recovery of the hematopoietic system
from radiation injury.
Volume 63,
Issue 5,
pp. 1159-1167,
05/01/1984
Copyright © 1984 by The American Society of Hematology
