Modification of Acute Irradiation Injury in Rats by Dextran

The intraperitoneal administration of dextran to albino rats one hour before or one half-hour after exposure to 600 r total body irradiation significantly increases the survival rate. Dextran given four hours after exposure does not confer protection. Dextran reduces the severity of the anaemia in animals treated one hour before or one half-hour after exposure to 500 r. These animals also showed a decreased second phase weight loss. Dextran does not reduce the severity of these irradiation effects when it is administered four hours after irradiation. Dextran does not modify the leukopenia of irradiation injury.