Background: Ionizing radiation induces the
production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which
play an important causative role in cell death. Wholebody
exposure of mice to gamma radiation leads to
diminution of tissue antioxidant defense systems
increases the peroxidative damage to membrane
lipids and damages the haematopoietic and gastrointestinal
systems. Tempol (TPL), a cell membranepermeable
amphilite nitroxide, shown to protect
against cell injury caused by ROS was studied for its
radioprotective effects. Materials and Methods:
Animals were administered with TPL at doses of 100
or 200 mg/kg body weight p.o 10 minutes prior to
sub- lethal doses (4 or 6 Gy) of whole body gamma
radiation exposure. Results: Tempol prevented the
radiation induced depletion in RBC and total WBC
counts, glutathione content in blood and bone
marrow cellularity. TPL also protected the tissue
antioxidant system and membrane lipids from the
radiation-induced damages. An enhanced spleen
colony formation and spleen weight recovery were
also observed in radiation exposed mice administered
with TPL. The compound also protected the
epithelial cells of the gastrointestinal tract from the
radiation-induced structural alterations. Conclusion:
These preclinical data indicate that TPL may have its
potential as a radioprotector during radiation
exposure scenarios. Iran. J. Radiat. Res., 2012 10(1):
1-10
Ramachandran L, Nair C. Radioprotection by tempol: Studies on tissue antioxidant levels, hematopoietic and gastrointestinal systems, in mice whole body exposed to sub- lethal doses of gamma radiation. Int J Radiat Res 2012; 10 (1) :1-10 URL: http://ijrr.com/article-1-877-en.html