Influence of 2-mercaptopropionylglycine (MPG) on radiation-induced changes in the acid phosphatase activity of mouse intestine and its role in tissue protection

Adult male Swiss albino mice were exposed to a 60Cobalt gamma whole-body radiation of 2.5, 5 and 10 Gy with or without a prior intraperitoneal injection of MPG of 20 mg/kg body weight. The acid phosphatase activity was estimated in the ileum and pycnotic nuclei and necrotic cells were counted in the crypts at various post irradiation intervals from 3 h to 14 days. A close correlation was observed between acid phosphatase activity and cell death. It is concluded that the enzyme may have an important role in the development of cell injury. Observation on the MPG-pretreated animals suggests protection of the lysosomal membrane by a radial scavenging action of the drug on the radiation-induced lipid peroxide. (author)