Abstract
In an attempt to better understand the effects of whole body X-irradiation on the levels of non-protein sulfhydryl (NP-SH), non-protein disulfide (NP-SS) and oxygen consumption rate $(QO_2)$ of the mouse duodenum, and to clarify the possible radioprotective action of reduced glutathione (GSH), a whole body X-irradiation of 1,000r was given to albino mouse either singularly or immediately after injecting GSH intraperitoneally to mouse 1 mg per gm of body weight. NP-SH was measured by Ellman's method, NP-SS was measured by the electrolytic reduction method described by Dohan and Woodward, and $(QO_2)$ by the Warburg's standard manometric method. The experiment was performed at 1, 6, 12 and 24 hours post-irradiation, and the comparison was made with the control. The results thus obtained are summarized as follows: 1) Comparing with the intrinsic NP-SH level of $3.31{\pm}0.27{\mu}\;mol/gm$ wet weight in the duodenum of the normal mouse, either whale body X-irradiation or injection of GSH alone produced no significant change in NP-SH from the normal. However, when GSH was injected prior to X-irradiation, markedly elevated NP-SH levels were observed throughout the entire experiment with the highest value of $4.70{\pm}0.10$ at 6 experimental hours. 2) The normal value of NP-SS in the mouse duodenum was $1.57{\pm}0.17{\mu}\;mol/gm$ wet weight, while in the group where injection of GSH and X-irradiation were combined, NP-SS increased to $2.36{\pm}0.33$ at 12 hours and $2.15{\pm}0.53$ at 24 hours, showing the intermediate value between the GSH injection group and X·irradiation group. 3) The normal value of $(QO_2)$ was $4.16{\pm}0.73{\mu}l\;O_2/hr./gm$ D.W., and no noticeable change was observed comparing with the GSH injection group. However, in the group where X·irradiation alone was given, $(QO_2)$ of the duodenum increased significantly throughout the entire experiment with the highest value of $6.35{\pm}1.07$ at 6 experimental hours. When GSH was injected before X-irradiation was given, the levels of $(QO_2)$ were in the middle of the GSH injection group and X-irradiation group. 4) The above results suggest that GSH may be effective as a radioprotector in terms of NP-SH, NP-SS and $(QO_2)$ of the mouse duodenum.