The effect of cysteamine, cystamine and hypoxia on mortality and bone marrow chromosome aberrations in mice after total body roentgen irradiation

Abstract

A total of 154 mice were subjected to 1100 r and 110 mice to 200 r total body irradiation following the administration of cysteamine or cystamine in order to gauge the protective effect of these substances. With the former dose, death was the criterion, while with the latter dose, chromosome aberrations in the bone marrow were evaluated quantitatively. In both series the chemical compounds showed a protective effect which increased when hypoxia was induced prior to and continued during the exposure.