Biopolymers and cell. 2003; 19 (2): 133 - 139

Dependence of the receptor-lectin interaction on radiation mode and dose in Chornobyl accident liquidators

I. S. Karpova, N. V. Koretskaya

Lectins from 24 species of medicinal plants have been used in the investigation of blood red cell membranes of liquidators exposed to low and high doses of continual radiation and persons suffered from acute radiation sickness (ARS) due to Chornobyl accident Significant difference in the intensity of receptor-lectin interactions (integral IN index) between all groups of exposed and control persons has been demonstrated, that correlates with some qualitative and quantitative parameters of ionizing radiation. In each group under study there were also found peculiarities of the reactions with individual lectins, thus evidencing structural and functional changes in the cellular receptors. This reflects some deviations in the physiological status of organism in the late period after the accident.