Effect of anesthetics on the radiosensitivity of a murine tumor

Journal Article · Sat Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1979 · Radiat. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3575181· OSTI ID:5913050

Sheldon, P W; Chu, A M

The effect of four anesthetics on the single dose of x rays required to locally control 50% of implanted MT tumors was investigated. Compared with unanesthetized animals, no change in radiosensitivity was observed if mice were irradiated under either tribromoethanol or fentanyl-fluanisone-diazepam anesthesia. However, a small but significant degree of radioprotection was observed under chloral hydrate or pentobarbital anesthesia. Hypothermia or increased hypoxia are considered unlikely mechanisms for the protection, a direct chemical action being most probable. The preferred method for immobilizing the mice in order to locally irradiate the tumors was by simple physical restraint (with care taken to minimize physiological stress). However, if anesthesia was a necessity, the present work suggests that for the MT tumor at least the nonprotecting tribromoethanol and fentanyl-fluanisone-diazepam are preferable to the protecting chloral hydrate and pentobarbital. Tribromoethanol is preferable to fetanyl-fluanisone-diazepam in that it produces a smaller drop in temperature. However, it is only a short-acting anesthetic, and prolongation of the state of anesthesia by repeated doses simply prolongs the temperature decline so that there may be no real benefit over fentanyl-fluanisone-diazepam.

• Research Organization: Mount Vernon Hospital, Northwood, England
• OSTI ID: 5913050
• Journal Information: Radiat. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Radiat. Res.; (United States) Vol. 79:3; ISSN RAREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560152* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Animals
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANESTHETICS
ANIMALS
ANOXIA
BODY TEMPERATURE
DISEASES
DRUGS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EVALUATION
HYPOTHERMIA
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MAMMALS
MICE
NEOPLASMS
RADIATIONS
RADIOSENSITIVITY
RESPONSE MODIFYING FACTORS
RODENTS
VERTEBRATES
X RADIATION