Sensitization of Organisms to Radiation by Sulfhydryl-Binding Agents

Chemical Radioprotection and Radiosensitization of Mammalian Cells Growingin Vitro

“…NEM, although known to be capable of reacting with target molecules in an analogous manner (31)(32)(33), is thought to radiosensitize mammalian cells at extremely low concentrations (0.7 lM in Hank's balanced salts and 7 lM in complete medium) by an alternative mechanism. This mechanism could involve the oxidation of endogenous HD species [see (22,23)] and studies by Biaglow (34) may be extremely informative in elucidating whether a purely chemical reaction or biochemical alteration is involved. Our results with Diamide are in no way as detailed as those of Harris and Power (35); nevertheless, both reports show Diamide to radiosensitize Chinese hamster cells, strain V79, in both air-saturated and acutely hypoxic conditions.…”

“…This response is qualitatively different from that of the EA sensitizers, and suggests that these compounds effect radiosensitization by a mechanism which is different from that of the EA sensitizers. Both Diamide and NEM have been shown to oxidize various compounds in solution (18)(19)(20)(21) and a mechanism of radiosensitization involving the oxidation of various HD species in the vicinity of the cellular targets has been proposed (22)(23)(24). Additional studies have shown that Diamide is relatively ineffective in binding to neutral radicals in DNA and NEM binds weakly as compared with NF-269.…”

Diamide: A New Radiosensitizer for Anoxic Cells

“…7 is basically inconsistent with our experimental results. Bridges (18) has reviewed the evidence that the radiosensitizing ability of other "sulfhydryl-reactive" compounds (e.g., NEM) is also separate from their reaction with cellular sulfhydryls.…”

Spatial Characterization of Glutathione Depletion in the KHT Sarcoma Using Flow Cytometry

“…It has long been known that the modulation of thiols, in particular glutathione, can influence the radiosensitivity of cells and tissues to radiation (Bridges 1960(Bridges , 1969 . More recently the importance of GSH in modulating the efficacy of both electron-affinic radiosensitizers (Bump et al .…”