The in vivo inhibitory effect of ionizing radiation on Fc and C3 receptors on mouse granulocytes in bone marrow cells and in mouse and human monocytes in peripheral blood, and the radioprotective potential of human albumin.

Dose-dependent damage to Fc and C3 receptors on leukocytes by ionizing radiation was obtained with monocytes in peripheral blood leukocytes (M-PBL) as well as granulocytes in bone marrow cells (G-BMC) from total body irradiated mice. G-BMC from these mice took more than 4 months after irradiation to present normal levels of Fc and C3 receptors. Evidence is provided that albumin can protect Fc and C3 receptors from the damage of ionizing radiation in a dose-dependent way, and that this radioprotection can last for several days after albumin administration. In general, M-PBL from cervical cancer patients under radiotherapy maintained normal values of C3 receptors as compared to non-albumin-treated patients where an important decrease was found.