This study monitors the presence of neutrophil granulocytes in the lungs in (C57BI/6xDBA/2)F1 mice irradiated locally in the area of the thorax with absorbed doses of 14, 16 and 18 Gy of gamma radiation in a time interval of 18, 24, 30 and 36 weeks after irradiation Of histologically examined animals. During the histologic examination, an increased amount of neutrophil granulocytes was noted 24 weeks after the irradiation when the extent of inflammatory infiltration of irradiated lungs reached maximum values. In other time intervals, a decreasing trend in the average number of neutrophil granulocytes in the viewing field was found. The values of the number of neutrophils in pulmonary tissue were dependent on the absorbed dose of ionizing radiation in time intervals of 30 and 36 weeks after the irradiation.

Keywords: Radiation pneumonitis; Neutrophil granulocytes; Histology; Mice