Action of Ukrain, a cytostatic and immunomodulating drug, on effects of irradiation.

The ability of Ukrain, a cytostatic and immunomodulating semisynthetic compound of thiophosphate-modified alkaloids of Chelidonium majus L., to modify the effects of irradiation was studied in CBA/J mice using the dosage of the drug from 0.2 to 10 mg/kg. Ukrain was found to increase the survival rate of mice by 50-60 percent at irradiation doses from 6.00 to 6.75 Gy with no effect at the dose of 7.5 Gy. Varying the dosage of the drug did not influence the outcome of irradiation under experimental conditions employed. Maximal increase in the survival rate of the mice was noted when the drug was administered within the interval from 6 h before to 3 h after irradiation. It is noteworthy that under no circumstances did the administration of Ukrain result in a decrease in the survival rate of irradiated animals. The main outcome of the present study is the finding that Ukrain is capable of modifying the effects of irradiation when applied in both prophylactic and curative regimens. The effects of Ukrain are evident at doses from 0.2 to 10 mg/kg over the entire time-range studied and under doses of irradiation not exceeding LD 85/30. The drug was also found to be able to modify the effects of prolonged irradiation.