Inhibition of X-ray-induced exencephaly by protease inhibitors.

We report that protease inhibitors can reduce the incidence of radiation-induced exencephaly in mice. Previous studies from this and other laboratories have demonstrated that protease inhibitors, in particular antipain and the Bowman-Birk inhibitor, are effective anticarcinogenic agents in a variety of in vivo systems and inhibit cell transformation in vitro. Given our results, further investigation is warranted into preventive effects of protease inhibitors on the inhibition of neural tube defects.