Radiosensitization mechanisms of diphenoquinone on supracellular level

Abstract

The diphenoquinone by its chemical structure, with two carbonyl grup, is unsaturated, conjugated, resonant, their electron being capable of moving through a large path of the molecule i. e. very good condition for a radiosensitizer.

We have prepared the DQ by Koning’s processes and it was purified by recristaliza- tion in acetone.

The DQ is administrated to mice orally or intraperitoneally in gum arabic at 1 % or carboxymethyl cellulose suspension.

The toxicity is determined by Dixon and Mood method and the mice irradiation with X-rays at a speed of 26.5 r/min. The potentiation factor as radiosensitizer is determined according to Mitchell.

We have done a histopathological study of radiosensitized mice organs by DQ and we study also the action of cystein on this radiosensitizing effects.

These experiments demostrate clearly the radiosensitizing action of the DQ, and as the cystein abolished the effect of DQ, there would exist a mechanisms which acts by means of blockading the SH-groups. We can say that DQ acts in radiosensitization as a Sulfhydryl-Binding Agent.