ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of cimetidine (CMTD) on rats irradiated with 60Co γ-rays at low dose rate.METHODS: Sixty male SD rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, positive drug group, CMTD groups.The mice were irradiated with 60Co γ rays and an absorbed dose was 0.3 Gy, and the dose rate was 3.228 mGy•h-1. Twenty-four hours after irradiation, white blood cells, bone marrow DNA content, bone marrow polynuclear erythrocyte micronucleus rate (fMNPCE), sperm motility and sex hormones were detected. RESULTS When the cumulative absorbed dose was 0.3 Gy, the peripheral blood cells and bone marrow DNA content decreased significantly, fMNPCE increased significantly, and the sperm motility, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels reduced while the level of estradiol increased. Cimetidine not only could effectively increase the number of white blood cells, bone marrow DNA content, the level of FSH and LH but also reduce fMNPCE and the level of estradiol. CONCLUSION: CMTD could reduce the DNA damage which caused by 0.3 Gy cumulative irradiation, regulate sex hormone disturbance, and effectively improve hematopoietic function and reproductive function of irradiated rats.All RESULTS: shows that CMTD might be a good radioprotector.