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The Mechanism of Radiation Protection by Histamine and Other Biological Amines

Journal Article · · International Journal of Radiation Biology and Related Studies in Physics, Chemistry and Medicine

The radioprotective activity of a number of biological amines, among them histamine and epinephrine, has been shown to be related to their pharmacological activity in mice. Pharmacological autagonists were found to counteract the protective activity of these compounds. The protective effect could not be correlated with the effects of the anrines on the blood pressure. By the use of a polarographic technique it could be shown that the protective compounds cause a decrease of the oxygen tension in the spleen, the magnitude and duration of Which is correlated to the degree of radioprotection. Similarly, a reduction of the oxygen content of the inspiratory air reduces the oxygen tension in the spleen and affords protection against irradiation. It is concluded that histamine, epinephrrne, and a number of other biological amines protect against irradiation by reducing the oxygen tension in the spleen and possibly in other blood forming organs.

Research Organization:
National Defence Research Council T.N.O., Rijswijk (Z.H.), The Netherlands
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
NSA Number:
NSA-13-009603
OSTI ID:
4288891
Journal Information:
International Journal of Radiation Biology and Related Studies in Physics, Chemistry and Medicine, Journal Name: International Journal of Radiation Biology and Related Studies in Physics, Chemistry and Medicine Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 1; ISSN 0020-7616
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English