A Study on the Mechanism of Radiation Protection by 5-hydroxytryptamine and Tryptamine

Abstract

Summary5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) is a powerful prophylactic against radiation in CBA mice; tryptamine is much less active.Protective doses of both compounds reduce the oxygen tension in the spleen of mice considerably.This hypoxia in the spleen is accompanied by a notable fall in blood pressure, but for 5-HT the time courses of these effects are different.It is concluded that 5-HT and tryptamine protect mice against radiation by lowering the oxygen tension in the blood-forming organs.