[Dosimetric criterion for the intestinal form of acute radiation lesions in man. The loss of the barrier properties of the small intestine--an index of the severity of the lesion].

Dynamics of cell regeneration in the small intestine epithelium of man has been investigated in normal conditions and after acute exposure to ionizing radiation. It is suggested that the severity and outcome of the intestinal form of acute radiation sickness are determined by the time interval within which the number of functional cells of the epithelium villi remains below some threshold level that provides the retention of barrier properties of the small intestine.