Radioprotection of bovine erythrocytes to haemolysis

The effect of several free-radical scavengers on the radiation-induced haemolysis of bovine erythrocytes (50 krad, 60Co, cell concentration: 0.05 v/v) was studied. A two-phase effect of the additives was found with a maximum of the protective action in the millimolar concentration range. A correlation was established between the degree of protection at a fixed concentration (5mM) and the rate constants of reactions of respective compounds with OH. A radiosensitizing effect of diethyldithiocarbamate, an inhibitor of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was not confirmed and no specific protective effect of SOD was seen.