The Radioprotective and Therapeutic Effects of Imidazole and Erythropoietin on the Erythropoiesis and Survival of Irradiated Mice

The effect of imidazole, administered 5 minutes before, or immediately after irradiation (800 rads), on survival and erythropoiesis was studied. The results showed that imidazole increased the survival of irradiated mice when administered 4.5 hours before irradiation, 5 minutes before irradiation, or immediately after irradiation. The highest reduction of radiation lethality was obtained when imidazole was administered 5 minutes before irradiation. Using59Fe incorporation into blood and spleen as a measure of erythropoietic activity, it was found that imidazole given either before or after irradiation does not affect the initial radiation-induced depression of erythropoietic activity but it does promote the subsequent recovery of the erythropoietic system. When the pre- or postirradiation imidazole treatment was combined with a postirradiation administration of erythropoietin, there was a further increase in both erythropoiesis and survival.