Post-irradiation protective effect of irsogladine maleate on intestinal crypt stem cells in mice.

Radioprotective effect of irsogladine maleate, an anti-ulcer drug, on the intestinal crypt stem cell survival was studied in mice using a crypt microcolony assay. Irsogladine maleate was injected intraperitoneally immediately after irradiation and then, daily for three days. A successive administration of the drug following 10 Gy of irradiation increased the survival of intestinal stem cells with a clear dose-related trend. In order to estimate the D0, survival curves were determined for X-ray plus placebo and X-ray plus 10 mg/kg of irsogladine maleate. The D0, for X-ray plus the drug was 2.2 Gy while it was 1.9 Gy for X-ray plus placebo. These findings suggest that isogladine maleate can be applied for the alleviation of intestinal damages in heavily irradiated people by radiation accidents.