Fat cells in red bone marrow of human rib: their size and spatial distribution with respect to the radon-derived dose to the haemopoietic tissue

Samples of human rib were collected at autopsy and 20 were selected for marrow fat cell measurement, representing an age range of 16-96 years. The mean diameter of fat cells in red bone marrow of human rib was found to increase from around 48 microns at ages 16-29 years to around 65 microns at ages...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inInternational journal of radiation biology Vol. 68; no. 6; p. 669
Main Authors Allen, J E, Henshaw, D L, Keitch, P A, Fews, A P, Eatough, J P
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England 1995
Subjects
Adipocytes - radiation effects
Adolescent
Adult
Age Factors
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Bone Marrow - radiation effects
Bone Marrow Cells
Female
Hematopoietic System - radiation effects
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Radiation Dosage
Radon
Ribs - cytology
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Summary:Samples of human rib were collected at autopsy and 20 were selected for marrow fat cell measurement, representing an age range of 16-96 years. The mean diameter of fat cells in red bone marrow of human rib was found to increase from around 48 microns at ages 16-29 years to around 65 microns at ages 82-96 years. There was a greater number of fat cells of smaller size range in younger ages compared with that in older ones. The maximum size of fat cells was found to be 102 microns. Calculated radon-derived doses to haemopoietic tissue ranged from 60 to 162 microSv y-1 at average UK exposures of 20 Bq m-3. It was concluded that the bone marrow fat fraction is the important parameter as far as alpha-radiation dose from radon in fat is concerned. This updates the theoretical estimates of dose carried out by Richardson et al. (1991).
ISSN:0955-3002
DOI:10.1080/09553009514551681