Effect of .OH scavengers on radiation damage to the erythrocyte membrane.

Thiourea, and .OH scavenger, reduced the gamma-radiation-induced changes in the rigidity of erythrocyte membrane lipids, the state of membrane proteins, and lipid peroxidation. Several .OH scavengers, but not superoxide dismutase, also inhibited the radiation-induced acceleration of the transport of a hydrophilic non-electrolyte spin label TEMPOL across the erythrocyte membrane. The effects of scavengers were usually biphasic with a maximum of the protective effect. Higher concentrations of the scavengers were less effective, as in the case of radioprotection of erythrocytes to haemolysis studied previously.