ABSTRACT
Objective Radiation can cause multiple damages to tissues and organs.This study aimed to explore the protec-tive effect of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides ( GLPs) against the 60 Co-γray radiation injury in mice and provide an experimental basis for the clinical use of GLPs. Methods One hundred mice were randomly divided into five groups of equal number: normal control, gavage control, radiation control, high-dose GLPs, and low-dose GLPs.Models of radiation injury were made in the mice by whole-body exposure to 60 Co-γrays.Three days before and after mod-eling, the animals in the high-dose and low-dose GLPs groups were given GLPs intragastrically at the dose of 100 and 50 mg/kg respec-tively, once daily for 14 days.Then the 30 day survival rate and sur-vival time of the model mice were recorded and the changes in the pe-ripheral blood index, spleen index, and serum superoxide dismutase( SOD) activity were observed. Results GLPs significantly increased the 30-day survival rate and the mean survival time of the mouse models (P<0.05), decreased the reduction of WBC count in the peripheral blood, and shortened the time of WBC restoration ( P<0.05 ) .Furthermore, GLPs obviously improved the spleen index and SOD activity of the Co-γray irradiated animals. Conclusion GLPs, with a significant anti-radiation effect, can effectively raise the survival rate of the mice exposed to a lethal dose of 60 Co-γrays, reduce radiation injury to WBC and platelets, and increase the activity of SOD in irradiated mice.