Combined Irradiation by Gamma Rays and Carbon Nuclei Increases the C/EBP-β LIP Isoform Content in the Pituitary Gland of Rats.

C/EBP-β, a basic leucine zipper transcription factor, has important roles in the regulation of the body immune and inflammatory responses. Wistar rats subjected to combined irradiation were characterized by an increase in the content of the C/EBP-β LIP isoform in the pituitary gland. The obtained data indicate that moderate doses of ionizing radiation to initiate the endoplasmic reticulum stress response and are likely to initiate C/EBP-β-mediated cell death according to the apoptotic scenario. This study also confirms the earlier hypothesis about the alterations of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis in response to moderate doses of ionizing radiation.