The radioprotective activities of turpentine-induced inflammation and α2-macroglobulin. The effect of dexamethasone on the radioprotective efficacy of the inflammation

This work was aimed at the radioprotective efficacy of turpentine oil (TO), α2-macroglobulin (α2-M), amifostine (Ami) and/or dexamethasone (Dex). These agents were administrated, alone or in combination, prior to irradiation of rats with 6.7 Gy (LD50/30). The survival was recorded daily for 4 weeks after irradiation and body weight, peripheral leukocytes and thrombocytes were measured. The plasma concentration of α2-M and other acute phase proteins were determined by crossed immunoelectrophoresis. All rats receiving α2-M and Ami alone or in combination survived the radiation injury, whereas the rate of survival of TO-treated rats was 90%. Radiation and therapy-induced changes in the expression of acute phase protein genes were atypical for the acute phase reaction. Dex alone was lethal for 45% and 55% of control and irradiated rats, respectively. Pretreatment with 1 mg Dex reduced radioprotective efficacy of TO and Ami to 30% and 40%, respectively. Given together TO and Ami provided 70% protection to rats receiving Dex. The TO and α2-M enhanced the rate of survival from 50% to 90% and 100%, respectively. In the presence of 1 mg Dex the TO-induced radioprotectors and Ami exhibited radiosensitizing rather than radioprotecting activities. (author)