[Mechanisms of the synergistic action of ionizing radiation and hydrogen peroxide on the viability of bacteria].

The combined effect of ionizing radiation and minor concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (0.1-0.01 M) has been studied on bacteria differing in the cell wall structure (Gy+, Gy-), radioresistance, and activity of DNA repair system. The H2O2 concentrations applied, which have a slight antibacterial action, enhance significantly the bactericidal effect of ionizing radiation producing a synergistic effect due to the decreased effectiveness of repair of DNA single-strand breaks.