Radioprotection of Mouse Hematopoietic Stem Cells by Leukotriene A4 and Lipoxin B4

Abstract

Radio protection/Leukotriene A4/Lipoxin B4/Endogenous spleen colony formation/Mouse hematopoietic stem cell The potent cyto/radioprotective biological activity induced by leukotrienes prompted a search for other lipoxygenase products exhibiting similar properties. Pretreatment of mice with 1 to 20 μg of leukotriene A4before sublethal irradiation induced an increase in the number of endogenous hematopoietic stem cells. Radioprotection was also provided by pretreatment with lipoxin B4, but not with lipoxin A4or with potential lipoxin precursors: 5-HETE, 15-HPETE, 15-HETE, and arachidonic acid. The degree of protection induced by leukotriene A4or lipoxin B4is less than that previously reported for an equivalent dose of leukotriene C4. Administration of the lipoxins did not result in any visibly detectable side effects such as diarrhea or ataxia. © 1988, Journal of Radiation Research Editorial Committee. All rights reserved.