Radiation Protection by 2-mercaptopropionylglycine in Mice

Abstract

A new sulfhydryl compound, 2-mercaptopropionylglycine, which is commercially available in Japan as a detoxicating agent, has been shown to be protective in mice against lethal doses of ionizing radiation at a very low dose of 20 mg/kg, far below its toxic dose of more than 2,000 mg/kg. The drug has an optimum dose for protection, 20 mg/kg, and its protection continues more than 3 hours, though with a less extent after 1 hour than within 1 hour. The results suggest a clue on the mechanism of sulfhydryl radioprotectors and give promise of clinical application. © 1972, Journal of Radiation Research Editorial Committee. All rights reserved.