[Evaluation of the radioprotective effect of total gaseous hypoxia based on the criteria of delayed radiation damage].

Breathing with gas mixture containing 6-8% of oxygen during whole-body and large-field irradiation of mice diminishes the radiation-induced life-span shortening (DMF = 2.2) and decreases the degree of canescence (DMF = 1.5), the frequency and severity of nephro- and cardiosclerosis (DMF = 1.5), and the probability of occurrence of pleura and pericardium edemas provoked by cardiopulmonary insufficiency (DMF = 1.4). The fact that hypoxic hypoxia retains its high radioprotective efficiency in relation to the delayed effects of radiation is important for radiotherapy of tumors.