The uptake study of radioactive rubidium (86Rb) in the erythrocytes of various materials was done in vitro. The materials consisted of 17 normal female volunteers, 25 girl students, 46 patients with carcinoma of the uterine cervix in stage Ff. The postirradiational effects on the 66Rb uptake bf erythrocytes were also studied in 87 patients with carcinoma of the uterine cervix. These were, 46 patients irradiated with 6, 000 Rad 60Co, 24 with 3, 000 Rad and. 17, with 1 month interval after 6, 000 Rad 66 ´o irradiation. The uptake studies were also done in 10 normal, ai{d 10 irradiated female rabbits (6, 000 rads) in order to observe whether the- changes of 86Rb uptake would result from the irradiation.
The blood samples f.?om these materials were mixed with $6Rb, and after the mixed solution was filtered through amberlite ion exchange column, the erythrocyte was separated from the plasma. The uptake of 86Rb in the erythrocyte was calculated with welltype scintillation counter.
The following were the results;
1. When the normal group was compared with the cervical carcinoma group, a highly significant difference was observed in the 86Rb uptake.
2. In the 10Co-irradiated groups, the 66Rb uptake showed a statistically significant decrease, which recovered after I month,
3. There was no significant difference of 86Rb uptake in the erythrocytes of the rabbits between the non-irradiated and irradiated groups. It seems, therefore, that the 6°Co irradiation does not interfere with 86Rb uptake in the erythrocytes.
4. This study suggests that the 86Rb uptake in the erythrocytes is directly applicable to the diagnosis of cervical carcinoma especially in its advanced stages.
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