Effect of Parenteral Injections of Particulate Matter on Survival of X-Irradiated Animals

Abstract

Intraperitoneal injections of suspensions of inorganic particulate matter, including limestone, quartz and Pyrex glass, given shortly after midlethal irradiation, increase survival by about 22 animals/hundred. Comparable increases in survival were observed in irradiated hamsters and guinea pigs but were not seen in rats following glass treatment. Particulate matter could be varied in size from < 44 [mu]-74 [mu] and in amount from 5-50 mg without loss of effect on survival in irradiated mice. The protective effect of the particulate matter on survival may be due to an enhancement of the defenses against post-irradiation infection.