Reduction in rat thymocyte interphase death by calcium depletion

Role of Ca ion in development of radiation damage of rat thymocytes was examined. Free DNA release, an expression of chromatin degradation, and the percentage of erythrosin B stained (dead) cells were increased after incubation of 1000 R X-irradiated thymocytes with normal Ca-containing medium. Incubation of the irradiated cells with Ca ion-depleted medium resulted in marked depression of free DNA release as well as of development of cell death. It was concluded from these results that Ca-dependent process(es) was involved in rat thymocyte interphase death.