Abstract
Summary
Rats were given intraperito-neally 10 ml/kg 0.85% saline or 5.5 g/kg 50% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), a radio-protective compound, before exposure to 800 r whole-body X-irradiation. Values of plasma glutamic oxalacetic (GOT) and pyruvic (GPT) transaminases, aldolase, alkaline phos-phatase, and lactic and malic dehydrogenases were determined. In non-irradiated controls, DMSO elevated plasma GOT and GPT values at 6 hours and aldolase at 6-48 hours. Values were normal 3-12 days after DMSO. In irradiated rats given saline or DMSO, plasma GOT was higher than in non-irradiated controls at 6 hours and then fell, along with the other enzymes, to subnormal values at 3-12 days. Levels of GOT, GPT and aldolase were higher 6-24 hours after irradiation in rats given DMSO than in those given saline. A second dose of DMSO caused a proportionally similar elevation when given 2 days after irradiation, but had relatively little effect on enzyme levels when given 5 days after irradiation. Pretreatment with DMSO did not prevent the fall in enzyme values noted 3-12 days after X-irradiation and had no marked effect on histologic changes. It is concluded that X-irradiation causes an initial widespread increase in cellular permeability followed by a decrease, and that plasma enzyme changes do not explain the radioprotective action of DMSO and are unreliable guides in evaluating the possible radioprotective effect of different compounds.
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