Protective Effect of Serotonin and of Para-Aminopropiophenone Against Lethal Doses of X-Radiation

Abstract

Further investigation of the pre-protection in rats against total body X-irradiation by vasoconstrictors, such as pitressin and epinephrine, was made using varying doses of serotonin creatinine sulfate. Studies with NaNO2 and p-aminopropiophenone demonstrated an apparent correlation between the degree of methemoglobinemia and protection against radiation. The survival rate of rats exposed to lethal X-ray dosage was significantly increased after pretreatment with serotonin (20 mg./kg.) or p-aminopropiophenone (32 or 16 mg./kg.). The protective effect of these agents is assumed to be due to their property of producing a temporary tissue anoxia.