Intracellular Recording of Potential Oscillations in Ciliated Cells Exposed to Ionizing Radiation

Abstract

Intracellular potential oscillations of the ciliated cells of the rabbit's trachea have been measured by means of glass capillary microelectrodes during exposure of the cells to ionizing radiation. The electrophysiologic activity was fairly stable during the entire exposure at a total administered dose of 10.0 Gy. This finding is contradictory to the change in mucociliary activity obtained under the same conditions when measured with a light beam reflex method, but is in agreement with the findings regarding the influence of radiation on the membrane potentials as far as nerves and muscles are concerned.