[Natural purine compounds as radioprotective agents]

Purine compounds xanthosine, caffeine, inosine-5'-monophosphate and guanosine-5'-monophosphate in the concentration range of 0.02-1 mmol/L exhibit antioxidant properties in vitro, significantly reducing the formation of hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals induced by X-rays in aqueous solutions and preventing the formation of 8-oxoguanine in DNA solutions. These compounds neutralize the long-lived protein radicals in vitro induced by radiation. In vivo they exhibit pronounced radiotherapeutic properties, increasing the survival rate of mice up to 50% by intraperitoneal injection (45 mg/kg) after the exposure to a lethal dose of 7 Gy. The tested compounds stimulate hemopoiesis, increasing the number of white blood cells and platelets in the peripheral blood of animals in postradiation period, as well as radiation recovery of DNA damage when administered both before and after irradiation. These purine compounds can be considered as potentially promising preventive and therapeutic agents to reduce the risk of the pathological effects of ionizing radiation on the body of mammals.