CHEMICAL PROTECTION AGAINST IONIZING RADIATIONS (in French)
The mechanism of action of radioprotective agents is considered in relation to their chemical structure. The following types of compounds are considered: sulfhydryl compounds, nitriles, chelating agents, hydroxyl compounds, and anoxemic substances. Injection of 150 mg/kg cysteamine 1 min before x irradiation of mice with 750 to 800 r, delivered over a 26-sec period, prevented the death of 97% of the animals, compared with a mortality rate of 97% in uninjected controls. However, injection of cysteamine at the same dose 30 sec after irradiation had no protective effect. Three theories of the mechanism of action of radioprotectant agents are discussed: chemical protection as the result of tissue anoxia; protection of sulfhydryl groups by the formation of mixed disulfides; and neutralization of free radicals. It was concluded that the only logical explanation for the protectant action of substances such as cysteamine is that they somehow intervene in the physicochemical reactions that occur immediately after the absorption of radiation energy by tissue components. Several protectant mechanisms may be operative, but, it is suggested, the one involving free radicals is probably the most important. (TCO)
- Research Organization:
- Universite, Liege
- NSA Number:
- NSA-17-019876
- OSTI ID:
- 4733252
- Journal Information:
- Triangle. Sandoz J. Med. Sci., Journal Name: Triangle. Sandoz J. Med. Sci. Vol. Vol: 5
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- French
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