RADIOPROTECTION OF PRIMATES WITH 2-(1-DECYLAMINO) ETHANETHIOSULFURIC ACID IN DIMETHYL SULFOXIDE

Significant radioprotection of primates has been achieved by administering 2-(1-decylamino) ethanethiosulfuric acid, dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide, intravenously to Macaca mulatta. Administered prior to whole body X- irradiation by a dose of 850 roentgens, this compound has resulted in fifty per cent survival, as compared to zero per cent survival of the placebo treated primates irradiated under identical conditions. Clinical chemistry and hematologic data were obtained preirradiation and on days one, three, and seven postirradiation for three groups of primates; protected and irradiated, placebo treated and irradiated, and protected but sham-irradiated. Histopathology examinations were performed on the radiation non-survivors of both the protected and placebo treated animals, and on sacrificed drug controls and radiation survivors. Hematologic data, in the form of higher WBC and platelet values, provided evidence of protection of the lymphoid system.