[Radiosensitizing and toxic effect of metronidazole and its ortho-isomer 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-methyl-4-nitroimidazole on Escherichia coli B/r cells].

A study was made of the effect of metronidazole and isometronidazole on the survival rate of irradiated and nonirradiated E. coli B/r cells. These substances had similar radiosensitizing activity with regard to anoxic cells and did not sensitize cells irradiated in the air. At the same time, isometronidazole was found to be less toxic than metronidazole.