Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and a mixture of vitamin B2 and C affects MMC efficiency in aerated media under irradiation.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) acts as a strong radiation protecting agent in Escherichia coli bacteria (AB1157) in aerated media. This ability is reinforced by the addition of vitamin C. Under the influence of gamma-radiation, vitamin B2 completely suppresses the cytostatic activity of mitomycin C (MMC). In the presence of both vitamins, B2 and C, MMC is converted from an efficient cytostatic to a rather strong radiation protecting agent. This effect opens a new pathway for specific protection of normal mammalian cells (with a high O2-content) under treatment with ionizing radiation.