Effects of feeding irradiated malnourished children’ .
Bhaskararn,2
M.D.,
and G. Sadasivan,3
ABSTRACT divided
Fifteen
into
three
irradiated, and
or
the
wheat
duration
irradiated
wheat.
abnormal
cells
abnormal
cells
in
is
not
potatoes
and
screened available Expert
for their evidence,
irradiated
may
be
(1).
for
possible
should done
so
foods
had
undertaken,
far,
While
has
mutagenicity
be
tests
not the
been
of
irradiated in
cytotoxicity
wholesomeness
In
studies
most
foods studies
of irradiated
of irradiated
extensively
many
is widely
case of
however,
further
are few and even
duration. Also, most out in well-nourished
developing prevalent
wheat
in experimental
similar studies in man
animals.
on
employed.
these have been of short studies have been carried trition
in the
since
for
been
studied
animals,
in stored have been
that
countries, and
there
malnu is evidence
that malnutrition could adversely influence toxicity of many drugs. In such situations, the question of food irradiation thus acquires a new dimension. In
generally effects malian findings 1 30
view
of
the
large
volume
of
literature
supporting the absence of harmful of irradiated wheat in several mamspecies, it was thought that negative including cytotoxic studies in malThe A merican
Journal
calorie
con taming
either
were
at intervals
abnormal
a gradual
contrast, stored
cells
of
the
Though malignancy
consumption
were freshly
a period
of 6 weeks
receiving
freshly
in increasing to
basal fed
wheat
showed
the
biological
makes
it
number
level
children
irradiated
numbers. with
for Children
reversal
none
fed
human
hospitalized of 2 weeks.
certain
malnutrition unirradiated,
of
carefully
fed
irradiated
as after
unirradiated
diet
polyploid
and
significance
imperative
be very
nil
of
that
assessed.
the Am.
1 975.
as a of stored
Committee,
recommended
for
protein-
diets
children
children
in 1969 to discuss that “temporary
considered
The
marked
wheat
1 35,
severe
showed
association
wholesomeness and based a Joint FAO/IAEA/WHO
wheat
specifically
irradiated 1 30-
from
and
decreased its
recommended infestation
that met recommended
question
clear,
sprouting Irradiated foods
onions.
In while
M.Sc.
and cells
to
B.S.,
received the
and
significantly
of 28:
All
initially
increased
of
Irradiation has been method to control insect grains, also to control
this
done
any
Nutr.
and
polyploid
feeding
wholesomeness
each
wheat.
were
developed
J. C’lin.
MB.,
suffering
five
developed of
polyploidy
clearance”
of
irradiated
cultures
withdrawal
Committee
children
groups
stored
leukocyte
irradiated
M.Sc.,
wheat
of Clinical Nutrition
Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article-abstract/28/2/130/4732887 by INSEAD user on 18 August 2018
nourished
add
subjects
further
support
wheat
would
the use of irradiation as a method of increasing food availability. An investigation was, therefore, undertaken
to determine the wheat to children calorie malnutrition. Materials
to
effects
of feeding
sutfering
from
irradiated protein-
and methods
Ten children aged between 2 and 5 years. suffering from kwashiorkor, were admitted to the hospital for investigation. All children had severe growth retardation, edema of the lower extremities, mental apathy and hypoalbuminemia--levels of serum albumin being below 2 g/I00 ml. They conformed in all respects to descriptions of kwashiorkor given earlier from this Institute (2). All children were rehabilitated with diets which provided 4 g protein/kg body weight and 200 kcal/kg body weight daily. These levels of protein and calories have been found to bring about optimal responses (3). The diet contained 20 g wheat/kg body weight and provided about 2 g of protein/kg body weight. The diets of five children contained irradiated wheat, while that of the other five contained unirradiated wheat. Both groups of children were fed simultaneously. All the wheat used in these studies came from the same bulk supply. The rest of the protein in the diet came from dry skim milk. All children under
I
received supervision
National
these
diets
and
it was
Institute
of
for
1975,
pp.
that
Nutrition,
Medical Research, Hyderabad-500007, 2 Research Officer. Visiting
28: FEBRUARY
a period
ensured
1 30-
Indian
of
6 weeks
food
intake
Council
of
India Professor.
135.
Printed
in U.S.A.
FEEDING was
complete.
are
The
presented
Met/mod
details
in Table
IRRADIATED
of the
diet
WHEAT
used
in the
study
I.
of irradiation
A local variety of wheat was obtained in bulk and irradiated periodically in aluminum containers (4 X 4 X 8 in.) in lots of 1 .25 kg. The containers were kept at a distance of 1 2.5 cm from a cobalt-60 source which had a flux of 75,000 rads/hour. A total dose of 75,000 rads was given in four equally divided doses, exposing each side of the container at a time. Absorption of radiation was checked by standard ferrous sulfate dosimetry. The irradiated wheat was incorporated into the diets wit hin 3 weeks after being irradiated. The response of the children to these diets was evaluated using both clinical and biochemical parameters. Clinical response was assessed by the time taken for disappearance of edema and the gain in weight after edema had disappeared. The biochemical response was assessed by the rate of regeneration of serum albumin. Albumin levels were determined by the micro-Kjeldahl method . In addition, both before the institution of treatment and at intervals of 2 weeks thereafter, samples of peripheral blood were obtained
TABLE
I
Composition
milk
Amount, g/kg body weight
Protein, g/kg body weight
6 20 8 8
2 2
powder
Wheat
Sugar Clarified
butter Ban ana
a
The
diet
2
Clinical
and
to determine aberrations,
weight,
provided
one
200
biochemical
per
colchicine.
kcal
and
values
on
a
wet
Twenty-five
preparations slide,
and
well-spread
were
stained
made
with
by
Giemsa
metaphases
were
ana-
lyzed
for structural abnormalities like gaps, breaks, and deletions. During the course of the examination of these slides some cells with more than the normal
complement
of
preparations.
chromosomes
Therefore,
consecutive
spreads
in
were all
were examined
seen
in some
preparations,
100
for the presence
of
polyploid cells. As soon as it became evident that the feeding of irradiated wheat was associated with the appearance of polyploid cells, it was considered possible that this may have been due to the fact that the irradiated wheat was incorporated into the diets within 2-3 weeks after irradiation. The study was, therefore, repeated in five children, who received identical diets, but where the wheat after irradiation was stored for a period of 1 2 weeks before it was fed.
7.8
0.88 1.44
kg kg
1.46 1.12 1.37
per
seen. diets
They were
first started,
appeared 4 weeks the mean incidence
after at
the this
Freshly
irradiated wheat
Stored
irradiated wheat
±
0.684
7.48
±
0.674
6.68
±
0.520.
±
0.162 0.286
0.92 1.88
±
0.287 0.3 14
1.40 1.88
±
±
±
0.179 0.102
0.085 0.188 0.227
1.19 1.46 1.96
0.261
0.95 0.82
10.5 10.9
±
± ± ±
±
0.097
1.45
±
±
0.401
1.14
±
2.102
±
0.216
1.66
±
0.129
±
0.79 0.62
8.2 9.6
±
0.77 0.86
ml 9.5 9.5
of 6 weeks are
in Tables
to treatment
kg
g/lOO
are shown
There were no differences between the three groups of children either in the clinical or the biochemical response. But in four of the five children who had received freshly irradiated wheat, varying numbers of polyploid cells were
20 70 30 70
4 g protein/kg
Serum albumin, g/l00 ml initial gain at the end of 4 weeks gain at the end of 6 weeks
All
Chromosomal
splashing
stain.
extent and lymphocyte
The results of the study 2 and 3 and Figs. 1-4.
day
response
Gain in weight at the end of 4 weeks, at the end of 6 weeks,
Hemoglobin, initial at the end
the using
131
nature of chromosomal cultures. Lymphocytes were cultured by a modified micromethod described by Arakaki and Sparkes (4) using phytohemagglutinin (PHA) as the mitogen. All cultures were terminated at 72 hours following a 2-hour period of exposure to 0.1 ml of 2.5 mg/100 ml
Unirradiated wheat Initial
CHILDREN
Results kcal/kg body weight
day.
TABLE
MALNOURISHED
of the dieta
Ingredient Skim
TO
mean
±
SE.
There
are
± ±
no differences
Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article-abstract/28/2/130/4732887 by INSEAD user on 18 August 2018
between
the
three
±
groups
in any
of the
±
parameters
studied.
BHASKARAM
132
AND
time being 0.8%. At 6 weeks it had increased to 1 .8%. In addition to distinct polyploid cells, where the number of chromosomes could be easily counted, there were other abnormal cells, characterized by splitting of their centromeres with
widely
cells were
separated
chromatids.
also considered,
When
the mean
these
incidence
of total abnormal cells at 4 and 6 weeks feeding were 1 .2 and 3.8%, respectively. TABLE
of In
3
SADASIVAN
marked contrast, not a single polyploid cell or any other type of abnormal cell was found in any of the children who received unirradiated wheat. In the two children who were followed up after withdrawal of the irradiated wheat, the number of polyploid and abnormal cells had decreased considerably at the end of 16 weeks and by the 24th week all abnormal cells had completely disappeared. In children who had received the stored irradiated wheat, the incidence of definite polyploid cells was 0% at 4
Incidence of polyploid cells in children suffering from kwashiorkor treated with unirradiated and irradiated wheat diets
Freshly Unirrad iated wheat Initial 2weeks 4 weeks 6 weeks Figures abnormal tive cells interval. group. irradiation
0 0 0 0
Stored
irradiated wheat
irradiated wheata
0 0(0.4) 0.8 (1.2) 1.8 (3.8)
0 0 0(0.6) 0.6 (0.8)
in parentheses indicate the percent of total cells, including polyploid cells. 100 consecufrom each child were examined at each time Five children were studied in each a Wheat was stored for 12 weeks after prior to being fed.
22 WEEKS
Illjthdrawl
FIG. children
of
1. Incidence fed
freshly
irradiated
wheat
of abnormal lymphocytes irradiated wheat.
“a
FIG.
2. Fuzzy
chromosomal
Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article-abstract/28/2/130/4732887 by INSEAD user on 18 August 2018
spread
at the
height
of the
disease.
30
OF FEEDING
in five
FEEDING
IRRADIATED
WHEAT
TO
MALNOURISHED
1 33
ChILDREN
#{149}1I’.
I -
121G. 3. Definite
.-
polyploid
cell
in a child
fed
irradiated
wheat.
S
FIG.
4. Abnormal
spread
in a child
Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article-abstract/28/2/130/4732887 by INSEAD user on 18 August 2018
fed
irradiated
wheat.
BHASKARAM
134
weeks
and
only
considerably fed freshly other types
at 0.6%
incidence
children at the There groups
6
The
in children when the taken into
4 weeks and 6 weeks, and 0.8%. This reduction
was
found
time
to
be
the in
statistically
of admission
were
no
aberrations incidence
of
with
between regard
like breaks, gaps, these aberrations
the
three
who
deletions. the height
had
clear.
The of
associated
with
its significance of
which
nutritional became disappear.
status,
the
sharper
and
chromosomal the
the in
outlines
of
not
polyploid
fuzziness
tended
irradiated portance
cells
wheat. While as sporadic
had
increased
The most significant finding in this study is the appearance of a number of polyploid cells in children who had received freshly irradiated
their
bone
none in those wheat, and of polyploids
received
stored
considered
cells
increasing and that irradiated
wheat,
disappear ploidy
of
the induces
indicate cells
wheat.
wheat
the cytotoxicity
these data substance
The
polyploid
of irradiated
reduces
also be
number
of
increased
clearly
of
storage
Though wheat
It must the
progressively
observations
feeding
wheat. that
mechanism polyploid
They
after
with precise is not
due
further
the
show greatly
cells
is not
“colchicine-like” formed in
of irradiation,
which
the
tends
gevm
media
has
question of ted wheat. The
earlier reported irradiated
to
the
survival
be
A
well
also
as been (6). in
significant
Viewed
chrolight of a cautious
in the
that
adopted
to
the
potential
both
in fed
wheat.
as
have
mutagemlic
in
whole
of irradia-
animals
reported
from this Institute and in children here, that the cytotoxic effects of wheat were markedly reduced after it for
a period
important.
necessary
to recommend
be
for
it can
cells those
freshly irradiated wheat of human leukocytes
revealed
be
wheat
with
it is clear
observation
stored
stored
irradiated
effect,
(7). to
this to
irradiated
have
observations,
im-
from
polyploid
mutation
still
after
Sadasivan,
freshly
stored
were
reported
of
cell
breakages
considered
known,
fed
in rats fed cultures
irradiated
was
induced by irradiation. by which irradiated
been
of
irradiated attention.
acquires
as compared
or
mosomal
the
to
irradiation
suggest that a might have been
as a result
that
is
rats
in large
weeks
withdrawn
numbers
approach
day
cells
and
lethal
reduced
occur as wheat
association
16-20
it has
unirradiated
reported In vitro
every
as
ingestion
the fornier phenomena,
polyploid
marrows
dominant
these
with
duration of feeding irradiated wheat these cells gradually disappeared after wheat was withdrawn from the diet.
appearance that
irradiated significant
polyploid
These
who had received unirraa considerably reduced in those who had
that circulation
cells,
the
ingestion of such to receive serious
that
the
be the same
consistent
(Vijayalaxmi
Discussion
polyploid by
is consumed the
recently,
Institute published)
wheat, diated number
induced
wheat was in this context.
Very
to
to
irradiated wheat is safe for Though viral infections of cytotoxic drugs may be perhaps
The observation present in
a fuzzy
is not
answer
presence
is staple
of here
wheat
the
the
children,
had
irradiated
depend
may
with therefore
spreads
studied
question whether human consumption. and administration
polyploidy wheat has
chromosomal
significance
children
will
the disease and after treatment were essentially similar. At the height of the disease in all with indistinct borders. With of treatment and improvement
hazard
the
freshly
this
and
the
health in
received
On
amounts
appearance institution
at
seen
of irradiated isolated or
to chromosomal and
long-term
polyploidy
that
differences
of children
SADASIVAN
weeks-figures seen Even were
(P < 0.01). In none of the 15 studied was there a single polyploid
significant cell
at
lower than those irradiated wheat. of abnormal cells
consideration, figures were the
0.6%
AND
periods
be considered
of They
that beyond
safe
for
1 2 weeks suggest
must that
be it is
irradiated
wheat
1 2 weeks,
before
human
consump-
tion.
storage. biological known,
significance but
polyploid
been shown to occur in man after exposure to irradiation, infections, and in senility (5).
in
of
poly-
cells
have
malignancy, during viral
Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article-abstract/28/2/130/4732887 by INSEAD user on 18 August 2018
The authors are grateful to Dr. C. Gopalan, Director-General, Indian Council of Medical Research, Dr. S. G. Srikantia, Deputy Director, Dr. B. S. Narasinga Rao and Dr. Vinodini Reddy, Assistant Directors, for their keen interest in this study and valuable guidance. They thank Dr. Sharat Chandra,
FEEDING Indian Institute suggestions. The
Rao
and
Mr.
of Science, authors also
A. Nadamuni
statistical analysis help in providing
IRRADIATED Bangalore thank Mr.
Naidu
help Rao
with for
his
References 1. World Health Organ. Tech. Rept. Ser. 451, 1970. VENKATACHALAM, P. 5., 5. G. SRIKANTIA AND C. GOPALAN. Clinical features of nutritional oedema syndrome in children. Indian J. Med. Res.
2.
42:555,
1954.
Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article-abstract/28/2/130/4732887 by INSEAD user on 18 August 2018
TO
MALNOURISHED
CHILDREN
135
3. SRIKANTIA,
for his valuble K. Visweswara
for their
and Mr. C. Nageswara irradiated wheat.
WHEAT
S. G. Protein-calorie malnutrition in Indian children. Indian J. Med. Res. 57: Aug. Suppl. 36, 1969. 4. ARAKAKI, D. 1., AND R. S. SPARKES. Microtechnique for culturing leucocytes from whole blood. Cytogenetics 2:57, 1963. 5. Editorial: Endoreduplication, polyploidy and leukaemia. Lancet ii, 5 11, 1964. 6. VIJAYALAXMI,
C. Irradiated
wheat
nant lethal mutation in rats. Mutation 7. SI-lAW, M. W., AND E. HAYES. irradiated sucrose on the chromosomes lymphocytes in vitro. Nature 211:1254,
induced
domi-
Res. In press. Effects of
of human 1966.
Bhaskararn,2
M.D.,
and G. Sadasivan,3
ABSTRACT divided
Fifteen
into
three
irradiated, and
or
the
wheat
duration
irradiated
wheat.
abnormal
cells
abnormal
cells
in
is
not
potatoes
and
screened available Expert
for their evidence,
irradiated
may
be
(1).
for
possible
should done
so
foods
had
undertaken,
far,
While
has
mutagenicity
be
tests
not the
been
of
irradiated in
cytotoxicity
wholesomeness
In
studies
most
foods studies
of irradiated
of irradiated
extensively
many
is widely
case of
however,
further
are few and even
duration. Also, most out in well-nourished
developing prevalent
wheat
in experimental
similar studies in man
animals.
on
employed.
these have been of short studies have been carried trition
in the
since
for
been
studied
animals,
in stored have been
that
countries, and
there
malnu is evidence
that malnutrition could adversely influence toxicity of many drugs. In such situations, the question of food irradiation thus acquires a new dimension. In
generally effects malian findings 1 30
view
of
the
large
volume
of
literature
supporting the absence of harmful of irradiated wheat in several mamspecies, it was thought that negative including cytotoxic studies in malThe A merican
Journal
calorie
con taming
either
were
at intervals
abnormal
a gradual
contrast, stored
cells
of
the
Though malignancy
consumption
were freshly
a period
of 6 weeks
receiving
freshly
in increasing to
basal fed
wheat
showed
the
biological
makes
it
number
level
children
irradiated
numbers. with
for Children
reversal
none
fed
human
hospitalized of 2 weeks.
certain
malnutrition unirradiated,
of
carefully
fed
irradiated
as after
unirradiated
diet
polyploid
and
significance
imperative
be very
nil
of
that
assessed.
the Am.
1 975.
as a of stored
Committee,
recommended
for
protein-
diets
children
children
in 1969 to discuss that “temporary
considered
The
marked
wheat
1 35,
severe
showed
association
wholesomeness and based a Joint FAO/IAEA/WHO
wheat
specifically
irradiated 1 30-
from
and
decreased its
recommended infestation
that met recommended
question
clear,
sprouting Irradiated foods
onions.
In while
M.Sc.
and cells
to
B.S.,
received the
and
significantly
of 28:
All
initially
increased
of
Irradiation has been method to control insect grains, also to control
this
done
any
Nutr.
and
polyploid
feeding
wholesomeness
each
wheat.
were
developed
J. C’lin.
MB.,
suffering
five
developed of
polyploidy
clearance”
of
irradiated
cultures
withdrawal
Committee
children
groups
stored
leukocyte
irradiated
M.Sc.,
wheat
of Clinical Nutrition
Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article-abstract/28/2/130/4732887 by INSEAD user on 18 August 2018
nourished
add
subjects
further
support
wheat
would
the use of irradiation as a method of increasing food availability. An investigation was, therefore, undertaken
to determine the wheat to children calorie malnutrition. Materials
to
effects
of feeding
sutfering
from
irradiated protein-
and methods
Ten children aged between 2 and 5 years. suffering from kwashiorkor, were admitted to the hospital for investigation. All children had severe growth retardation, edema of the lower extremities, mental apathy and hypoalbuminemia--levels of serum albumin being below 2 g/I00 ml. They conformed in all respects to descriptions of kwashiorkor given earlier from this Institute (2). All children were rehabilitated with diets which provided 4 g protein/kg body weight and 200 kcal/kg body weight daily. These levels of protein and calories have been found to bring about optimal responses (3). The diet contained 20 g wheat/kg body weight and provided about 2 g of protein/kg body weight. The diets of five children contained irradiated wheat, while that of the other five contained unirradiated wheat. Both groups of children were fed simultaneously. All the wheat used in these studies came from the same bulk supply. The rest of the protein in the diet came from dry skim milk. All children under
I
received supervision
National
these
diets
and
it was
Institute
of
for
1975,
pp.
that
Nutrition,
Medical Research, Hyderabad-500007, 2 Research Officer. Visiting
28: FEBRUARY
a period
ensured
1 30-
Indian
of
6 weeks
food
intake
Council
of
India Professor.
135.
Printed
in U.S.A.
FEEDING was
complete.
are
The
presented
Met/mod
details
in Table
IRRADIATED
of the
diet
WHEAT
used
in the
study
I.
of irradiation
A local variety of wheat was obtained in bulk and irradiated periodically in aluminum containers (4 X 4 X 8 in.) in lots of 1 .25 kg. The containers were kept at a distance of 1 2.5 cm from a cobalt-60 source which had a flux of 75,000 rads/hour. A total dose of 75,000 rads was given in four equally divided doses, exposing each side of the container at a time. Absorption of radiation was checked by standard ferrous sulfate dosimetry. The irradiated wheat was incorporated into the diets wit hin 3 weeks after being irradiated. The response of the children to these diets was evaluated using both clinical and biochemical parameters. Clinical response was assessed by the time taken for disappearance of edema and the gain in weight after edema had disappeared. The biochemical response was assessed by the rate of regeneration of serum albumin. Albumin levels were determined by the micro-Kjeldahl method . In addition, both before the institution of treatment and at intervals of 2 weeks thereafter, samples of peripheral blood were obtained
TABLE
I
Composition
milk
Amount, g/kg body weight
Protein, g/kg body weight
6 20 8 8
2 2
powder
Wheat
Sugar Clarified
butter Ban ana
a
The
diet
2
Clinical
and
to determine aberrations,
weight,
provided
one
200
biochemical
per
colchicine.
kcal
and
values
on
a
wet
Twenty-five
preparations slide,
and
well-spread
were
stained
made
with
by
Giemsa
metaphases
were
ana-
lyzed
for structural abnormalities like gaps, breaks, and deletions. During the course of the examination of these slides some cells with more than the normal
complement
of
preparations.
chromosomes
Therefore,
consecutive
spreads
in
were all
were examined
seen
in some
preparations,
100
for the presence
of
polyploid cells. As soon as it became evident that the feeding of irradiated wheat was associated with the appearance of polyploid cells, it was considered possible that this may have been due to the fact that the irradiated wheat was incorporated into the diets within 2-3 weeks after irradiation. The study was, therefore, repeated in five children, who received identical diets, but where the wheat after irradiation was stored for a period of 1 2 weeks before it was fed.
7.8
0.88 1.44
kg kg
1.46 1.12 1.37
per
seen. diets
They were
first started,
appeared 4 weeks the mean incidence
after at
the this
Freshly
irradiated wheat
Stored
irradiated wheat
±
0.684
7.48
±
0.674
6.68
±
0.520.
±
0.162 0.286
0.92 1.88
±
0.287 0.3 14
1.40 1.88
±
±
±
0.179 0.102
0.085 0.188 0.227
1.19 1.46 1.96
0.261
0.95 0.82
10.5 10.9
±
± ± ±
±
0.097
1.45
±
±
0.401
1.14
±
2.102
±
0.216
1.66
±
0.129
±
0.79 0.62
8.2 9.6
±
0.77 0.86
ml 9.5 9.5
of 6 weeks are
in Tables
to treatment
kg
g/lOO
are shown
There were no differences between the three groups of children either in the clinical or the biochemical response. But in four of the five children who had received freshly irradiated wheat, varying numbers of polyploid cells were
20 70 30 70
4 g protein/kg
Serum albumin, g/l00 ml initial gain at the end of 4 weeks gain at the end of 6 weeks
All
Chromosomal
splashing
stain.
extent and lymphocyte
The results of the study 2 and 3 and Figs. 1-4.
day
response
Gain in weight at the end of 4 weeks, at the end of 6 weeks,
Hemoglobin, initial at the end
the using
131
nature of chromosomal cultures. Lymphocytes were cultured by a modified micromethod described by Arakaki and Sparkes (4) using phytohemagglutinin (PHA) as the mitogen. All cultures were terminated at 72 hours following a 2-hour period of exposure to 0.1 ml of 2.5 mg/100 ml
Unirradiated wheat Initial
CHILDREN
Results kcal/kg body weight
day.
TABLE
MALNOURISHED
of the dieta
Ingredient Skim
TO
mean
±
SE.
There
are
± ±
no differences
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between
the
three
±
groups
in any
of the
±
parameters
studied.
BHASKARAM
132
AND
time being 0.8%. At 6 weeks it had increased to 1 .8%. In addition to distinct polyploid cells, where the number of chromosomes could be easily counted, there were other abnormal cells, characterized by splitting of their centromeres with
widely
cells were
separated
chromatids.
also considered,
When
the mean
these
incidence
of total abnormal cells at 4 and 6 weeks feeding were 1 .2 and 3.8%, respectively. TABLE
of In
3
SADASIVAN
marked contrast, not a single polyploid cell or any other type of abnormal cell was found in any of the children who received unirradiated wheat. In the two children who were followed up after withdrawal of the irradiated wheat, the number of polyploid and abnormal cells had decreased considerably at the end of 16 weeks and by the 24th week all abnormal cells had completely disappeared. In children who had received the stored irradiated wheat, the incidence of definite polyploid cells was 0% at 4
Incidence of polyploid cells in children suffering from kwashiorkor treated with unirradiated and irradiated wheat diets
Freshly Unirrad iated wheat Initial 2weeks 4 weeks 6 weeks Figures abnormal tive cells interval. group. irradiation
0 0 0 0
Stored
irradiated wheat
irradiated wheata
0 0(0.4) 0.8 (1.2) 1.8 (3.8)
0 0 0(0.6) 0.6 (0.8)
in parentheses indicate the percent of total cells, including polyploid cells. 100 consecufrom each child were examined at each time Five children were studied in each a Wheat was stored for 12 weeks after prior to being fed.
22 WEEKS
Illjthdrawl
FIG. children
of
1. Incidence fed
freshly
irradiated
wheat
of abnormal lymphocytes irradiated wheat.
“a
FIG.
2. Fuzzy
chromosomal
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spread
at the
height
of the
disease.
30
OF FEEDING
in five
FEEDING
IRRADIATED
WHEAT
TO
MALNOURISHED
1 33
ChILDREN
#{149}1I’.
I -
121G. 3. Definite
.-
polyploid
cell
in a child
fed
irradiated
wheat.
S
FIG.
4. Abnormal
spread
in a child
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fed
irradiated
wheat.
BHASKARAM
134
weeks
and
only
considerably fed freshly other types
at 0.6%
incidence
children at the There groups
6
The
in children when the taken into
4 weeks and 6 weeks, and 0.8%. This reduction
was
found
time
to
be
the in
statistically
of admission
were
no
aberrations incidence
of
with
between regard
like breaks, gaps, these aberrations
the
three
who
deletions. the height
had
clear.
The of
associated
with
its significance of
which
nutritional became disappear.
status,
the
sharper
and
chromosomal the
the in
outlines
of
not
polyploid
fuzziness
tended
irradiated portance
cells
wheat. While as sporadic
had
increased
The most significant finding in this study is the appearance of a number of polyploid cells in children who had received freshly irradiated
their
bone
none in those wheat, and of polyploids
received
stored
considered
cells
increasing and that irradiated
wheat,
disappear ploidy
of
the induces
indicate cells
wheat.
wheat
the cytotoxicity
these data substance
The
polyploid
of irradiated
reduces
also be
number
of
increased
clearly
of
storage
Though wheat
It must the
progressively
observations
feeding
wheat. that
mechanism polyploid
They
after
with precise is not
due
further
the
show greatly
cells
is not
“colchicine-like” formed in
of irradiation,
which
the
tends
gevm
media
has
question of ted wheat. The
earlier reported irradiated
to
the
survival
be
A
well
also
as been (6). in
significant
Viewed
chrolight of a cautious
in the
that
adopted
to
the
potential
both
in fed
wheat.
as
have
mutagemlic
in
whole
of irradia-
animals
reported
from this Institute and in children here, that the cytotoxic effects of wheat were markedly reduced after it for
a period
important.
necessary
to recommend
be
for
it can
cells those
freshly irradiated wheat of human leukocytes
revealed
be
wheat
with
it is clear
observation
stored
stored
irradiated
effect,
(7). to
this to
irradiated
have
observations,
im-
from
polyploid
mutation
still
after
Sadasivan,
freshly
stored
were
reported
of
cell
breakages
considered
known,
fed
in rats fed cultures
irradiated
was
induced by irradiation. by which irradiated
been
of
irradiated attention.
acquires
as compared
or
mosomal
the
to
irradiation
suggest that a might have been
as a result
that
is
rats
in large
weeks
withdrawn
numbers
approach
day
cells
and
lethal
reduced
occur as wheat
association
16-20
it has
unirradiated
reported In vitro
every
as
ingestion
the fornier phenomena,
polyploid
marrows
dominant
these
with
duration of feeding irradiated wheat these cells gradually disappeared after wheat was withdrawn from the diet.
appearance that
irradiated significant
polyploid
These
who had received unirraa considerably reduced in those who had
that circulation
cells,
the
ingestion of such to receive serious
that
the
be the same
consistent
(Vijayalaxmi
Discussion
polyploid by
is consumed the
recently,
Institute published)
wheat, diated number
induced
wheat was in this context.
Very
to
to
irradiated wheat is safe for Though viral infections of cytotoxic drugs may be perhaps
The observation present in
a fuzzy
is not
answer
presence
is staple
of here
wheat
the
the
children,
had
irradiated
depend
may
with therefore
spreads
studied
question whether human consumption. and administration
polyploidy wheat has
chromosomal
significance
children
will
the disease and after treatment were essentially similar. At the height of the disease in all with indistinct borders. With of treatment and improvement
hazard
the
freshly
this
and
the
health in
received
On
amounts
appearance institution
at
seen
of irradiated isolated or
to chromosomal and
long-term
polyploidy
that
differences
of children
SADASIVAN
weeks-figures seen Even were
(P < 0.01). In none of the 15 studied was there a single polyploid
significant cell
at
lower than those irradiated wheat. of abnormal cells
consideration, figures were the
0.6%
AND
periods
be considered
of They
that beyond
safe
for
1 2 weeks suggest
must that
be it is
irradiated
wheat
1 2 weeks,
before
human
consump-
tion.
storage. biological known,
significance but
polyploid
been shown to occur in man after exposure to irradiation, infections, and in senility (5).
in
of
poly-
cells
have
malignancy, during viral
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The authors are grateful to Dr. C. Gopalan, Director-General, Indian Council of Medical Research, Dr. S. G. Srikantia, Deputy Director, Dr. B. S. Narasinga Rao and Dr. Vinodini Reddy, Assistant Directors, for their keen interest in this study and valuable guidance. They thank Dr. Sharat Chandra,
FEEDING Indian Institute suggestions. The
Rao
and
Mr.
of Science, authors also
A. Nadamuni
statistical analysis help in providing
IRRADIATED Bangalore thank Mr.
Naidu
help Rao
with for
his
References 1. World Health Organ. Tech. Rept. Ser. 451, 1970. VENKATACHALAM, P. 5., 5. G. SRIKANTIA AND C. GOPALAN. Clinical features of nutritional oedema syndrome in children. Indian J. Med. Res.
2.
42:555,
1954.
Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article-abstract/28/2/130/4732887 by INSEAD user on 18 August 2018
TO
MALNOURISHED
CHILDREN
135
3. SRIKANTIA,
for his valuble K. Visweswara
for their
and Mr. C. Nageswara irradiated wheat.
WHEAT
S. G. Protein-calorie malnutrition in Indian children. Indian J. Med. Res. 57: Aug. Suppl. 36, 1969. 4. ARAKAKI, D. 1., AND R. S. SPARKES. Microtechnique for culturing leucocytes from whole blood. Cytogenetics 2:57, 1963. 5. Editorial: Endoreduplication, polyploidy and leukaemia. Lancet ii, 5 11, 1964. 6. VIJAYALAXMI,
C. Irradiated
wheat
nant lethal mutation in rats. Mutation 7. SI-lAW, M. W., AND E. HAYES. irradiated sucrose on the chromosomes lymphocytes in vitro. Nature 211:1254,
induced
domi-
Res. In press. Effects of
of human 1966.
