The effect of gamma radiation on Li+ transport through human erythrocyte membranes.

Abstract

Human erythrocytes were exposed at room temperatures to 662 keV gamma radiation at doses up to 60 Gy. The total delta Li+ influx as well as the delta Li+ influx by passive diffusion and Na(+)-K+ pump mechanisms increased linearly with the dose. The rate constant K of Li+ efflux by the Li(+)-Na+ countertransport mechanism through irradiated erythrocyte membranes was reduced by about 35% at the highest dose.