The effects of accelerated electrons on Escherichia Coli enterobacteria cytotoxic activity

Electron beam effects of the cytotoxic capacity of enterotoxin Escherichia coli on “in vitro” cell colonies have been studied. The VERO cell colonies and tumoral epithelial cells HeLa-2 were treated with different concentrations of irradiated and natural entherotoxin (1–1000 μg/mL). The radiation doses used range from 1 to 35 kGy. The irradiation was carried out with ALIN-10 linear accelerator and the dose was measured with calorimetric devices and cellulose triacetate dosimetric films. The accelerated electrons effects were estimated by means of the effect of different absorbed radiation doses on the enterotoxin and on the protein synthesis in cell colonies treated with irradiated enterotoxin. The following results were obtained: a) there is a definite dependence between the electron beam irradiation and effects on cytotoxic activity of the enterotoxin; b) strong inhibition of protein synthesis is produced in cell colonies treated with large amounts of enterotoxin; c) the cytotoxic activity of treated enterotoxin with 35 kGy accelerated electrons is fully suppressed; d) the VERO cells are more sensitive against natural and irradiated enterotoxin, as compared with tumoral epithelial cells HeLa-2.