[Indralin--a novel effective radioprotector during irradiation by high-energy protons].

Experiments with 120 mongrel dogs were aimed at the assessment of radio protective strength of indralin and local shielding of the pelvic marrow from 2.5 Gy, and also their concurrent use for the dogs irradiated by protons (240 MeV) at absolutely lethal and over-lethal 4 Gy and 5 Gy. Clinical observations, hematological investigations and ECG analysis of survived animals were conducted 4.5 years post the irradiation. Dogs that remained healthy following 3.5 to 4.5 years since the irradiation were sacrificed for pathomorphological investigations. The radioprotective effect of local shielding against 4 Gy was weak while this effect of intramuscular indralin (10, 20, 40 mg/kg of body) was significant reaching 50 to 67.7%. The concurrent use of two methods had, apparently, potentiated the 100% radioprotection of the animals irradiated by overlethal 5 Gy. Blood investigations of the survived dogs every 2-4 months evidenced that complete recovery of the total leukocyte count had taken 9 to 13 months. Also, dogs' pregnancy in 9-10 months since the beginning of irradiation pointed to maintenance of fertility and the ability to parturiate 2 or 3 times yielding 5-6 live cubs. Necropsy of the dogs did not reveal gross macroscopic structural changes of visceral organs or tissues. Seven out of 27 sacrificed dogs had benign tumors infrequent in intact dogs at this age.

[Protective action of radioprotectors and shielding against high-energy protons in experiments with rats].

Experiments with male rats were staged to study effectiveness of radioprotectors of two classes of chemical compounds (aminothiols--cystamine and indolyl alkylamines--mexamine and indralin) against high-energy protons (120 MeV) at a minimal absolutely lethal dose (10 Gy) and more than lethal doses (11.0-14.0 Gy). The best protective effect was provided by intraabdominal indralin at a dose of 75 mg/kg. However, this protective effect of indralin weakens with a dose rise and fades away with the dose rising to the absolutely lethal or more than lethal level (14.0 Gy). Investigations of the effectiveness of shielding different segments of the rat's body from high-energy protons (120 MeV) at more than lethal doses showed a substantial reduction and then full loss of the shielding protective action. Evaluation of the effectiveness of combined protection (radioprotectors plus shielding) against high-energy protons at more than lethal doses led to the conclusion about an additive (at 1.0-13.0 Gy) or potentiative (at 14.0 Gy) effect. For instance, indralin (75 mg/kg) and shielding of the abdomen increased rat's survivability to 89.7% after exposure at 11.0-13.0 Gy and to 87.5% after exposure at 14.0 Gy. It should be kept in mind that the radioprotective action of this combination was also observed during exposure to more than lethal doses when the protective effect of shielding and chemical compounds is minimal or lost altogether.

[Comparative protective action of radiorotectors and shielding in gamma-irradiated mice].

Experiments with male mice were performed to evaluate comparative effectiveness of radioprotectors cystamine, aminoethyl isothiuronium, mexamine and indralin against minimal absolutely lethal gamma-doses (9 Gy). The best protective effect was demonstrated by indralin at a dose of 75 mg/kg. Supportive data were received in experiments with rats. The radioprotective action of indralin consists mainly in quite successful preservation of the blood-forming components, i.e. the pool of stem cells in the marrow and spleen. Gamma-irradiation at superlethal doses (10 Gy and higher) weakens significantly or fully neutralizes these protectors in rodents. Shielding of radiosensitive organs with the help of lead and plastics proved to be a good protection of animals from minimal lethal gamma-doses. However, the superlethal doses of gamma-irradiation penetrated the shielding materials and disabled them to a large and full extent. Evaluation of effectiveness of the combined protection against superlethal gamma-doses by pharmaceutical agents and shielding revealed a potentiating effect. For instance, mexamine and shielding of the abdomen together increased survivability of rats to 76.7%. An even stronger effect was noted when shielding was combined with indraline which raised survivability to 100%. It should be emphasized that this combination is effective against superlethal gamma-doses that usually unassailable to radioprotectors and shielding.

[Effects of peptide-protein substances from the hydrobiontics in vestibulo-autonomic disorders in cats]. / Vliianie peptidno-belkovykh veshchestv iz gidrobiontov na vestibulo-vegetativnye rasstroistva u koshek.

We demonstrated earlier, that undecapeptide of hydra vulgaris possesses vestibulo-protective activities in cats. We also investigated potential of vestibulo-protective properties of other peptide-protein substances from hydrobiontics. The work was done on 18 cats. We used the model of L. A. Radkevich and K. B. Suri for generated vestibulo-vegetative disorders (VVD).

[Vestibulo-protective properties of regulatory peptides]. / O vestibuloprotektornykh svoistvakh nekotorykh reguliatornykh peptidov.

Endogenous opioid peptides take an active part in the pathogenesis of motion sickness (MS). Some regulatory peptides (substances P, gamma and des-tyr-gamma-endorphins) manifest antiemetic properties, unlike opioid peptides and morphine. Thus, we have examined the vestibulo-protective properties of some regulatory peptides during simulation of MS in cats. Vestibulo-protective properties have been discovered in some peptides: sweet water hydra undecapeptide, substances P, gamma and des-tyr-gamma-endorphins. It has been suggested that regulatory peptides take an active part in the genesis of vestibulo-protective disorders during motion sickness.

[Emetic and antiemetic properties of regulatory peptides]. / Ob émeticheskikh i antiémeticheskikh svoistvakh nekotorykh reguliatornykh peptidov.

Emetic and antiemetic properties of opioid peptides, substance "P", beta-lipotropin, and ACTH1-39 have been investigated in experiments on cats. It was shown that morphine, enkephalin, beta-endorphin and DADLE caused vomiting in animals, which was blocked by naloxone. Substance "P", gamma- and des-tyr-gamma-endorphin manifested antiemetic properties similar to those of naloxone. Selective antagonists of delta-opioid receptors ICI 154, 129 blocked emetic action of delta-agonist DADLE but did not prevent vomiting caused by mu-agonist morphine. It is suggested that the vomiting mechanisms of endogenous opioid peptides involve stimulation of mu- and delta-opioid receptors in the chemoreceptor trigger zone of the vomiting centre.

[Partial shielding of the bone marrow as a method of local protection of the body from the effects of cosmic radiation]. / Ekranirovanie chasti kostnogo mozga kak metod lokal'noi zashchity organizma ot deistviia kosmicheskoi radiatsii.

This paper reviews existing data on bone marrow partial shielding in animal studies with reference to partial-body protection in space radiobiology and medicine. Analysis of reported data indicates the efficacy of the method to protect animals (including dogs) exposed to gamma-radiation and high-energy protons. Experimental findings that demonstrate the effectiveness of bone marrow partial shielding show that this method may be used for partial-body protection in space flight.

[Combined, local and chemical protection of the body against radiation exposure during space flight]. / Kombinirovannaia, lokal'naia i khimicheskaia zashchita organizma ot radiatsionnogo vozdeistviia pri kosmicheskikh poletakh.

This paper summarizes studies of the combined protection of dogs exposed to acute high energy proton irradiation at a dose of 400 rad. The chemical radioprotector--mexamine--was injected intramuscularly at a dose of 10 mg/kg or administered per os at a dose of 75 mg/kg. During the exposure 14.5% of bone marrow was shielded. The dose behind the shielding was 250 rad. The combined use of mexamine administered per os and partial bone marrow shielding provided better protection, whereas either type of protection applied separately proved inefficient.