RADIATION DAMAGE TO ALBUMEN ALBUMIN AND SERUM BY THERMAL NEUTRONS AND GAMMA RAYS. ALLYLISOTHIOCYANATE, A RADIOPROTECTIVE AGENT

Journal Article · Thu Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1960 · Journal de Pharmacie de Belgique (Belgium)

OSTI ID:4105850

Heyndrickx, A; Avermaete, M

The levels of sulfhydryl (-SH) snd disulfide (-S-S-) groups in serum albumin under thermal neutron and gamma irradiation were measured in the presence of the protective agents, cysteine, cystine, cysteinamine, cystamine, and allylisothiocyanate. The formation of complexes and degradation compounds was also investigated by the polarographic technique. Using this technique it was demonstrated that complex formation occurs between sulfhydryl and disulfide groups reacting under the influence of neutrons and gamma rays. On adding the radioprotective agents cysteine, cystine, cysteamine, or cystamine to albumin or serum it was noted that a precipitate also formed before irradiation had taken place. This was not the case if allylisothiocyanate was used. It was shown that radiation damage to the -SH and -S-S- system is not restricted to an oxidation or a breakdown of the -SH and -S-S- compounds alone. With albumin in an air-free medium it was shown that not only the -S-S- but also the -SH content increased after irradiation. With serum it was demonstrated that only the -S-Scontent increased and not that of -SH. Results obtained with allylisothiocyanate followed the same pattern. Only the complex formed between allylisothiocyanate and albumin or serum gave titrable -SH or -S-S- compounds, not the agent by itself. In experiments with aerated solutions an increased amount of -S-S- was noted when serum was irradiated in the presence of cystine or cystamine; with allylisothiocyanate a lesser amount was formed. It was concluded that allylisothiocyanate is a better radioprotective agent for albumin and serum than cysteine, cystine, cysteamine, and cystamine. (BBB)

• Research Organization: Universite, Ghent
• NSA Number: NSA-18-011869
• OSTI ID: 4105850
• Journal Information: Journal de Pharmacie de Belgique (Belgium), Journal Name: Journal de Pharmacie de Belgique (Belgium) Vol. Vol: 14; ISSN JPBEA
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ALBUMINS
ALLYL RADICALS
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BLOOD SERUM
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMPLEXES
CYANIDES
CYSTAMINE
CYSTEINE
CYSTINE
DECOMPOSITION
GAMMA RADIATION
MEASURED VALUES
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
OXIDATION
POLAROGRAPHY
PRECIPITATION
QUANTITY RATIO
RADIATION INJURIES
RADIATION PROTECTION
THERMAL NEUTRONS
THIOCYANIDES