Radio-isotopes

-V.VIGNESH

 Isotopes are the elements having same atomic number but different mass number.eg: 1H1, 1H2 Isobars are atoms having same mass number but different atomic number.eg., 14C and 14N The spontaneous degradation of nucleus and transmutation of one element to another with consequent emission of rays or particles is known as radioactivity. Chemical reactions are based on activity of electrons while radioactivity is due to subnuclear components. Elements capable of undergoing radioactive delay are called radionucleitides

Radioactive Decay
1.Alpha Decay
When an alpha particle is released,the element changes,the atomic number is reduced by 2 and mass number is lowered by 4.For eg: 226Radium88---- 222Radon86+4He2 The alpha particles carry 2positive charges and produce maximum ionization in their path.Thus they are most damaging to tissues.

 2.Beta radiation:
When a neutron is split, one proton,one electron and one neutrino are generated.The element is changed to one having a higher number in periodic table. 14C6 - 14N7 + e- + neutrino These beta particles have low velocity and tritium is said to be a soft beta emitter. 32P on the other hand has more kinetic energy is a hard beta emitter

 3.Gamma radiation:

While alpha & beta radiations are particles,gamma radiation is in the form of electomagnetic waves. Gamma ray has no mass and no charge and therefore penetration power is maximum.It is widely used for treatment of cancer cases X-rays and gamma rays are similar electromagnetic waves while gamma rays are more penetrating

Gamma radiation is produced by:

131Iodine 53- 131Xenon 54 131Xenon 54

Half-life of radioactivity
Half-life is the time taken for a radioactive isotope to become half of its original activity The rate of decay or half-life is constant for a particular isotope The half life of 131Iodine is 8 days.

Application of radioactivity in research

Isotopes of an element will have identical chemical reactions.Hence when a radiolabelled compund is administered,these molecules are metabolized by body similar to normal molecules.This is called Tracer technique. The turnover rate of a substance in the body.i.e.,the rate of synthesis and breakdown could also be studied by tracer techniques. 32P is useful to trace the nucleic acid synthesis in vivo and in vitro.it is therefore employed in genetic research

 Similarly extracellular volume is determined by 24Nalabelled NaCl. 14C most widely used tracer in biochemical research.Radio labelling of nucleic acids by nick translation using 32P Carbon dating technique is an important tool in paleobiology.

Application of radioactivity for diagnosis

Branch of medicine that deals with the diagnostic application of radioactivity is referred to as Nuclear medicine. RBCs can be tagged with 51Cr.These cells when injected back will remain in circulation till the RBC is lysed.Therefore lifespan of RBC and intravascular hemolysis if any may be detected. Thyroid uptake studies by 131I are used to detect functional derangements of thyroid gland.

 Thyroid scanning:24hrs after administering the dose of 131I intravenously,the patient is placed under scanner,which detects the radioactive emissions from the neck region. Bone scanning: 90Sr(radioactive strontium) is employed.Osteoblastoma could be detected very early by this method,even before the appearance of radiological changes. Kidney scanning:done by injecting 131I labelled hippuran or 131I labelled diodrast.Both are excreted by kidney within few minutes after injection.Anatomical and physiological defects in the renal excretion could be easily identified.

 Radioimmune assay(RIA):Assays using 125I labelled antigens are used quantitate hormones.Another isotope of iodine with half life of about 8 days is employed for in vivo purposes,such as thyroid scanning and for treatment purposes

Application of Radioactivity in Treatment

Unsealed source: Radioactive substance kept in liquid form.Beta rays are the main effective radiation in these sources. For thyroid cancer and secondaries of thyroid cancer 131I is administered 32P is used to treat polycythemia vera

 Sealed source: They utilise gamma radiation.The source is applied as cancer or sometimes implanted as a needle into the tissue Radium needles have advantage of very long halflife.137Cs with half life of 30years is the preferred sealed source nowadays. Application of such sources directly on cancer tissue is called Brachytherapy

 Teletherapy:
The source of radiation is kept at a distance from the patient.Deep x-ray is no more used for cancer treatment Instead,gamma rays from 60Co or 137Cs are used for teletherapy Linear Accelerator(LINAC):In India ga,,a ray treatment is being slowly replaced by Linear Accelerator.Here the electrons are accelerated to high energy level of 8-12MV LINAC is used for external beam radiation treatments for patients with cancer