Radioprotection conferred by dextran sulfate given before irradiation in mice

Journal Article · Sat Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1986 · Exp. Hematol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5843123

Ross, W M; Peeke, J

Dextran sulfate (DS) has been observed to cause mobilization (fivefold) of hemopoietic stem cells (HSC) and leukocytes, primarily lymphocytes, into the peripheral blood of mice within 2-3 h after intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection. This effect was dose dependent and was prolonged for several hours when the high-molecular-weight version DS500 (500,000 daltons) was used. When DS500 was given 1-3 days before irradiation, hemopoietic recovery was markedly enhanced. Postirradiation injection was ineffective. By ten days after irradiation (7.0 Gy), the number of endogenous spleen colonies (CFUs) and the splenic mass were much larger if DS pretreatment had been given. This effect was dependent on the dose of DS500 and on the time administered, 60 mg/kg producing a maximal effect when given three days before irradiation. DS500 caused a transient anaphylactoid shock, however, in most mice--mild at low doses but potentially lethal at doses above 40 mg/kg (10% mortality within 1-3 days after 60 mg/kg). The following results were obtained with 50 mg/kg, a compromise dose causing minimal mortality (3%) given three days before irradiation. Reticulocyte reappearance was earlier in irradiated mice given DS500, indicating earlier erythropoietic recovery. Some of these reticulocytes were resistant to lysing agents, so their appearance could be detected using the Coulter electronic cell counter, as well as in stained blood smears. The 30-day mortality due to bone marrow failure after irradiation was significantly decreased in DS-treated mice below 9.5 Gy, and the LD50/30 was increased by 0.5 Gy. This study shows that dextran sulfate exerts a radioprotective influence on the hemopoietic system and hence survival when administered prophylactically.

• Research Organization: Defence Research Establishment, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
• OSTI ID: 5843123
• Journal Information: Exp. Hematol.; (United States), Vol. 2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BONE MARROW
BIOLOGICAL RECOVERY
DEXTRAN
RADIOSENSITIVITY EFFECTS
HEMATOPOIETIC SYSTEM
LYMPHOCYTES
MICE
RADIOPROTECTIVE SUBSTANCES
STEM CELLS
SULFATES
ANIMAL CELLS
ANIMAL TISSUES
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BLOOD
BLOOD CELLS
BLOOD SUBSTITUTES
BODY
BODY FLUIDS
CARBOHYDRATES
CONNECTIVE TISSUE CELLS
DRUGS
HEMATOLOGIC AGENTS
LEUKOCYTES
MAMMALS
MATERIALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLYSACCHARIDES
RECOVERY
RODENTS
SACCHARIDES
SOMATIC CELLS
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
TISSUES
VERTEBRATES
560152* - Radiation Effects on Animals- Animals