Evaluation of the Protective Effect of the Combined Use of Certain Natural Substances in Acute Exposure to Ionizing Radiation by Mice Physiological Parameters
Authors:   A.I. Burnazyan Federal Medical Biophysical Center, Moscow, Russia, Romodin L.A. , Moskovskij A.A. ,   A.I. Burnazyan Federal Medical Biophysical Center, Moscow, Russia,   National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, Moscow, Russia, Nikitenko O.V. ,   A.I. Burnazyan Federal Medical Biophysical Center, Moscow, Russia,   Institute of Biomedical Problems, Moscow, Russia, Bychkova T.M. ,   A.I. Burnazyan Federal Medical Biophysical Center, Moscow, Russia,   Institute of Biomedical Problems, Moscow, Russia, Rodionova E.D. ,   A.I. Burnazyan Federal Medical Biophysical Center, Moscow, Russia,   D. I. Mendeleev Russian University of Chemical Technology, Moscow, Russia, Tyukalova O.M. ,   A.I. Burnazyan Federal Medical Biophysical Center, Moscow, Russia
Published: February 2025

Relevance: Due to the high chemical toxicity of effective radioprotectors and the low radioprotective effect of low-toxic compounds, the use of several substances as part of a single therapeutic regimen for the treatment of radiation sickness seems promising.

Purpose: Evaluate the radioprotective effect of several therapeutic regimens using different substances on a number of physiological parameters in male ICR (CD-1) mice acutely exposed to X-ray radiation at a dose of 6.5 Gy.

Material and methods: The regimens studied included the use of riboxin (inosine), phenylephrine, glutathione, copper chlorophyllin, two forms of vitamin E (tocopherol, trolox), ascorbic acid and granulocyte stimulating factor (G-CSF) in the form of pegfilgrastim. Efficacy was assessed based on hematological parameters, the content of thiobarbiturate-reactive products in the liver, changes in the weight of the liver, thymus and spleen 4 days or 7 days after irradiation.

Results: Among the parameters assessed, the most striking picture was given by the level of leukocytes in the blood of mice 4 and 7 days after irradiation. None of the schemes used returned this indicator to the vivar control level. The most pronounced increase in the content of leukocytes, compared with the irradiated control group, was observed in mice that were administered phenylephrine before irradiation, 30 minutes after irradiation – glutathione, the next day – tocopherol and G-CSF, followed by daily administrations of G-CSF. At the same time, in the case of joint administration of copper chlorophyllin with G-CSF, the protective effect completely disappeared, and the general condition of the mice became worse than in the irradiated control group. That is, G-CSF is not compatible with copper chlorophyllin. The result also occurred in the group that received tocopherol, glutathione and ascorbic acid on the day of irradiation, a day later – only glutathione, and after 2, 3 and 4 days – copper chlorophyllin. Only in this group was there a correction of thrombocytopenia, which occurred one week after irradiation. The deterioration of the condition of the mice, up to the death of some animals in the group, was caused by intragastric administration of riboxin 1, 2, 3 and 4 days after irradiation.

Сonclusions: The results of the work update research into the possibility of treating radiation sickness using several substances with a mandatory study of the effects of their pharmacological interactions. Growth factors and low molecular weight compounds with sulfhydryl groups seem to us to be the most promising.