Radiation resistance in mice increased following chronic application of Li2CO3

In experiments on strain H mice the increased radiation resistance of mice was analysed after three weeks' feeding with a diet including Li given as lithium carbonicum. The concentration of Li in the serum during the first three days of feeding was increased to 0.5 mmol/l and remained at that level to the end of feeding. The application of Li increased the overall number of stem cells in the spleen by 80 per cent compared with the control group. D0 of the line of dependence of the number of endogenous colonies on radiation dose increased following Li application by 1.2 Gy compared with controls. The proliferation activity of haemopoietic stem cells observed 90 min after injection of hydroxyurea was, after 21 days feeding with a mixture containing Li, increased by 200 per cent. The results support the idea that the increased radiation resistance of mice following feeding with Li salts before irradiation may be due to the increased content and resistance of the haemopoietic stem cells, as well as activation of granulopoiesis.