Protection of mice against x-ray injuries by the post-irradiation administration of inosine-5'-monophosphate

The aim of the present study was to investigate the radiation modulating properties of inosine-5'- monophosphate (imp). mice injected introperitoneally (i.p.) with imp 15 minutes after irradiation with a lethal irradiation dose of 7 gy have better survival rates comparative to irradiated mice non treated with imp. the dose reduction factor of the imp is 1.22. using a hematologdical test we demonstrated that administration of imp alleviates the symptoms of radiation-induced leukopenia and thrombocytopenia. the dna damage in bone marrow and thymus cells of irradiated mice was measured by flow cytofluorometry and micronucleus test (mn-test). the tests show that i.p. administration of imp to irradiated animals leads to a significant reduction of the dna damage level. in this paper we show that imp substantially modulates the damaging effects of ionizing radiation protecting irradiated mice and it is a promising agent for a treatment of leukopenia.