RADIOPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF THE ASSOCIATION THYMOPENTIN INTERLEUKIN-1-ALPHA IN THE C57BL/6 MOUSE

We investigated whether thymopentin, a synthetic pentapeptide derivative of thymopoietin, could enhance the protective effect of interleukin-1alpha when both administered prior to sublethal irradiation in the C57BL/6 mouse. Thymopentin (10 mg/kg/day/7 days) was injected intraperitoneally in groups of C57BL/6 mice. Then, interleukin-1alpha was administered on day 7. Twenty hr later, all groups were given whole body sublethal irradiation of 750 rad by Co-60 elements. In some groups of mice, treatment with thymopentin was continued for 1 week after irradiation. Efficacy of the combination treatment was assessed by evaluation of mortality, as well as by histologic examination of the brain, testis, bone marrow, heart and spleen. The combination of relatively low doses of interleukin-1alpha (700 U) with thymopentin yielded a survival which was nearly that observed with interleukin-1alpha (1000 U) given alone (about 100%). The optimal effect was observed in animals treated for 15 days with thymopentin, either in combination or alone. In addition, incidence and severity of histological lesions were also lower in animals with the some treatment schedule. Our results suggest that the combined treatment thymopentin-interleukin-1alpha prevents radiation damage in the mouse.