Protective Action of Low Oxygen Tension and Epinephrine Against X-Ray Mortality in the Chick

Abstract

Epinephrine in oil, as well as low O2 tension, markedly reduced radiation mortality in young chicks, while combined treatment had a synergistic, protective effect. It is postulated that the decreased supply of O2 to tissues during exposure to low O2 tension is augmented by epinephrine, resulting in a more severe hypoxia of the visceral organs. Apparently, the protective action of either treatment is upon the initial phase of the chain of events initiated by irradiation.