ABSTRACT
Organisms have evolved in an oxygen-rich environment as well as under the influence of radiation, and mechanisms exist to protect against oxidative damage due to many processes including radiation exposure. In vivo radioprotection is most readily studied by determining the 30-day survival postirradiation, which indicates protection, for the most part, against hematopoietic injury, and to a lesser extent against gastrointestinal injury. The systemic effects of radiation, which may be related to some long-term effects, are somewhat similar to those occurring in other types of traumatic injury or inflammatory processes. Stimulation, as well as protection of the immunohematopoietic system, is an important aspect of radioprotection. The most attempted postirradiation treatment of whole-body irradiated patients and accident victims involves bone marrow transplantation, and in addition, other procedures for maintaining a supply of functional hematopoietic and lymphoid cells are desirable.
