[Effect of 2-cyanoethylurea, thymus extract and lithium carbonate on the leukocyte count in peripheral blood following whole body irradiation].

In our investigations the qualification of the substances 2-cyanoethyl urea, thymus extract and lithium carbonate was tested for a potential reducing or shortening of the leukocyte-depression in rats after whole-body irradiation. Intravenous applications of 2-cyanoethyl urea and intramuscular injections of thymus extract showed no effect in Wistar rats not only in increase of leukocyte number of peripheral blood, but also in variation of leukocyte portion in differential blood-count. Leukocytes depression appearing in consequence of whole-body irradiation was independent of cyanoethyl urea applications and of thymus extract, too. Lithium carbonate shows a significant increase of leukocytes in peripheral blood in dependence of dosage and frequency of applications. After whole-body irradiation with 7 Gy under lithium therapy, it was shown that on day 6 after irradiation leukocyte number was significantly higher than in controls. Radiogenic leukopenia phase was reduced significantly by lithium.