On the role of linoleic acid hydroperoxides in the bone marrow lesion and death of irradiated mice

Effect of linoleic acid hydroperoxides (HLA) on the resistance of mice to X-radiation has been investigated. The survival of animals and the increase in the frequency of chromosome aberrations in dividing bone marrow cells have been used as criteria for assessing the harmful action of the ionizing radiation. The combined action of HLA and irradiation have been found to aggravate the injury. The effect has turned out to be significantly higher with HLA administered prior to irradiation which indicates the radiosensitizing activity of HLA. It is suggested that the increased lethality of irradiated animals caused by preinjection of HLA is due to the increased affection on the bone marrow cells