In an attempt to observe the Possible radioprotective actions of single or combined application of reduced glutathione (GSH) and cold exposure in mammals, the albino mouse was subjected to GSH injection, cold exposure at -1±0.2C and whole-body X-irradiation with 900r either singularly or in combination, or the X-irradiation following the cold exposure and/or GSH injection. The levels of intrinsic NP-SH and NP-SS of the liver, brain and heart were measured at one hour after each application, and the results were compared with the control, i.e., non-irradiated and non-cold exposed normal animal. NP-SH was measured by the Ellman s method, and NP-SS was measured by the electrolytic reduction method described by Dohan and Woodward. The results thus obtained are summarized as follows: 1) The levels of NP-SH in the liver, brain and heart of the normal mouse was 6.35±0.61, 2.65±0.15 and 3.17±0.10μ mol/gm wet wt., respectively, and NP-SS was 3.09±0.11, 2.95±0.20 and 0.18±0.24μ mol/gm wet wt., respectively. 2) Though there were some degrees of difference among the tissues studied, a general tendency of (1) elevated NP-SH and NP-SS levels in the GSH injection group, (2) similar or slightly elevated NP-SH and NP-SS levels in the cold-exposed group, and (3) markedly decreased levels of NP-SH and NP-SS in the X-irradiated group, was observed. When GSH was injected prior to the X-irradiation, NP-SH and NP-SS in all the tissues studied showed generally higher values than in the group where the X-irradiation was given alone, and the values were close to the normal. In the group where the cold exposure was applied immediately after the X-irradiation, no significant difference was observed in the NP-SH and NP-S5 levels comparing with the X-irradiation group. On the contrary, when GSH was injected immediately prior to the X-irradiation or cold exposure, NP-SH and NP-SS levels were either similar to, or higher than, the normal value.
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