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- 1 9 5 2 - 



fractions secured through phenol extraction or tryptlc de- 

 gradation. Analysis of the crude concentrate has been com- 

 pleted. The effects of filtration, lyophlllzatlon, and dia- 

 lysis were studied. Alcohol precipitation with pH adjust- 

 ment yielded a preliminary fractionation; solvent extraction 

 and precipitation with heavy metals were nOt successful. A 

 large proportion of the active substance was lost during Darco 

 separation, Plorex or acid -washed alumina adsorption. 



752. THOMPSON, R. M. 



A llpo-proteln-nuclelc acid complex In the treatment of radia- 

 tion Injury. A preliminary report 



Mil. Surg. 110:51-58, I952 



The principal therapeutic problem In mass radiation Injury lies 

 in the high mortality rate found among victims who receive 

 the approximate median lethal or sublethal exposures to 

 Ionizing rays. The most Important factor Increasing the death 

 rate Is the development of susceptibility to Infection which 

 follows pancytopenia and Impaired antibody formation. Radia- 

 tion damages circulating hyraphocytes and lymphatic tissues. 



The activation or stimulation of the reticuloendothelial system 

 through non-specific therapy has been well-documented. Certain 

 nucleic acid salts have been utilized In the treatment of agran- 

 ulocytosis. On these bases, trial has been made of the protection! 

 against radiation after-effects afforded by the Injection of a 

 llpo-proteln-nuclelc acid complex (retlculose). Animals. re- 

 ceiving 450 r. of radiation and Intramuscular Injections' within 

 24 hours^of 2 cc. of retlculose, showed an arrest In the sharp 

 fail m total leukocytes. The leukocyte level was sustained 

 at approximately 3000 cells per cu. mm. for several days, 

 and then Increased to 70OO cells, on the average, within 

 21. days after radiation. Leukocytes fell to dangerously low 

 levels In control animals. Normal animals showed marked ele- 

 vation In the total leukocyte counts when given retlculose (with- 

 out exposure) for 30 days. Normal cellular components were 

 noted In bone marrow, but the spleen exhibited striking hyper- 

 plasia of the reticuloendothelial cells In the perifollicular 

 zone. Irradiated animals had fewer cellular elements In the 

 bone marrow, but the production of granulocytes and erythrocytes 

 was elevated. Megakaryocytes were present In smaller numbers than 

 normally seen. A moderate depletion of Malplghian corpuscles 

 and an Increase in mature granulocytes were noted in the. spleen. 



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