Untersuchungen über die Strahlenschutzwirkung von Spermin

Root tips of Vicia faba were irradiated with 500 R. To diminish radiation damage the roots were treated with a 0.005 mol solution of spermine for different periods of time. The roots were exposed to this solution not only before but also after irradiation. Mitotic index and irregularities of the nucleus were used as parameters of radiation damage and of radioprotection. It turned out that an exposure of 75 min (concerning mitotic index) and of 90 min (concerning irregularities of nucleus) attain maximal protection. Damage of nucleus was reduced by about 70% (referring to the whole damage) and mitosis was normalized completely. Even Spermine treatment after irradiation shows a protective effect, although it was less than with pretreatment. Mitosis was normalized to 80% while defects of the nucleus were reduced to about 30%.