Influence of Cysteine on the Intestinal Epithelium of X-Irradiated Rats

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Abstract
Cysteine reduced the degree of X-ray-induced mitotic inhibition of the epithelial cells in the small intestine of rats exposed to 100 r and 300 r whole-body irradiation. For a 300 r dose level, the rate of recovery of the mitotic activity of the cysteine-treated rats was approximately the same as for the untreated rats. The time required for recovery of the mitotic activity varied with the radiation dose. A disappearance of crypt structure at the higher dose range, 1000 r and 3000 r, was noted. The protective effect of cysteine on crypt structure was reflected by increased survival in rats pretreated with cysteine at 1000 r. For 3000 r, some protection by cysteine was indicated in early mitotic-activity observations and in a slight increase in the survival time.