THE EFFECT OF CYSTEINE ON THE PERIPHERAL BLOOD OF THE IRRADIATED RAT

Abstract

A single injn. of cysteine (950 mg./kg., intraven.) 5 min. before total-body exposure of rats to X-rays (800 r) significantly modified the radiation-induced hematologic changes. Depression of the heterophils, lymphocytes, and erythrocytes was less severe and recovery more rapid. The hematologic observations are consistent with the thesis that cysteine reduces the biological effectiveness of the radiation.