Cysteine: as a radio-protector against total body irradiation syndromes an experimental study

ABSTRACT

The radioprotective effect of cysteine on the haemopoietic and gastrointestinal syndromes, was investigated on forty five mature albino rats which divided equally into two test groups and a control group. The rats of the two test groups were exposed to total body irradiation [2000 cGy]. Cysteine was given intraperitoneally[1 05 mg/gm.] to the rats of the second group, 15 minutes before exposure to the irradiation. Statistical analysis of the blood picture and jejunal crypts mitoses, showed a high significant decrease in the first group with a remarkable significant improvement in the second group [except for Hb concentration and RBCs count]. All these results are supported by the clinical observations, bone marrow cellularity and histopathological findings: