Oxygen Poisoning and X-irradiation: A Mechanism in Common

TLDR

Exposure to high oxygen tensions causes irreversible damage, making oxygen toxicity a significant concern in medicine and deep‑sea diving, though evidence for protective agents like coenzyme A remains incomplete. The study hypothesizes that oxygen poisoning and X‑irradiation share a common mechanism involving the formation of oxidizing free radicals such as OH, O₂H, and H₂O₂. The authors present a table summarizing how X‑rays and protective agents affect oxygen poisoning in mice. Publisher summary: this chapter reviews oxygen poisoning and X‑irradiation.

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews oxygen poisoning and X-irradiation. Exposure to unphysiologically high tensions of oxygen causes irreversible damage to living matter. The problem of oxygen toxicity is important in clinical medicine and in deep-sea diving. A consideration of various isolated reports leads to the hypothesis that oxygen poisoning and the primary action of X-irradiation have a common basis of action: possibly the formation of the oxidizing free radicals OH, and O2H, and H2O2. The evidence of a protective effect of coenzyme A against X-rays and against oxygen toxicity in experiments is incomplete and needs further studies. The chapter presents a table reporting the effect of X-rays and protective agents on oxygen poisoning in mice.