INCREASE IN THE CHEMOTHERAPEUTIC COEFFICIENT OF MECHLORETHAMINE BY THE ACTION OF THE RADIOPROTECTIVE AGENT SODIUM DIETHYLDITHIOCARBAMATE

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1963 · Chemotherapia (Switzerland) Changed to Chemotherapy (Basel)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1159/000220065· OSTI ID:4699163

Cima, L; Pozza, F

In mice of the SMZ strain the protective effect of various kinds of radioprotectant agents against the toxicity of the alkylating agent mechiorethamine (HN2) was investigated. HN2 was injected subcutaneously in doses of 6 mg/kg, corresponding to the LD/sub 99/6/. The most effective protective agent tested was the chelating agent Na diethyldithiocarbamate (DEDTC), which when injected intraperitoneally in doses of 335 mg/kg raised the 4-day survival rate to 90% from a control value of 20%. Other chelating agents were less effective, showing the specific action of the dithiocarbamate anion: tetraethylthiuram disulfide (disulfiram), 2-guanidinothiazolidone, and diethylamine. Moderately effective against the toxicity of HN2 were (in decreasing order): reserpine, chlorpromazine, propylene glycol, malononitrile, glutathione, cysteamine, oxytocin, and Na ethylenediaminetatraacetate. Tryptamine was ineffective and cysteine augmented the toxicity of HN2. DEDTC did not modify the carcinostatic effect of HN2 against Ehrlich ascites tumor and thus, by markedly reducing the toxicity of HN2, enhances the therapeutic index of HN2 3 fold. The protective effect of DEDTC and the other radioprotectant agents against HN2 suggest that alkylating agents and ionizing radiation have analogous effects on tissue constituents. (H.H.D.)

• Research Organization: Universita, Padua
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-17-027030
• OSTI ID: 4699163
• Journal Information: Chemotherapia (Switzerland) Changed to Chemotherapy (Basel), Journal Name: Chemotherapia (Switzerland) Changed to Chemotherapy (Basel) Vol. Vol: 6; ISSN CMTRA
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: Italian

Related Subjects

AMINES
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
CANCER
CHEMICALS
CYSTEINE
DRUGS
MICE
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
RADIATION PROTECTION
SURVIVAL TIME
TOXICITY