Dimethyl sulfoxide prevents DNA nicking mediated by ionizing radiation or iron/hydrogen peroxide-generated hydroxyl radical.

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Abstract
Of the single-stranded DNA breaks induced by .gamma.-irradiation, 80% were prevented by the hydroxyl radical (.cntdot.OH) scavenger dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO); CH4 was generated in the process as a product of the interaction of .cntdot.OH and Me2SO. In contrast, Me2SO completely blocked DNA nicking by an Fe/H2O2 system which produces .cntdot.OH but smaller amounts of CH4 from Me2SO. Because Me2SO prevented DNA breaks from the more efficient Fe/H2O system but only blocked 80% of irradiation-mediated nicking, the results suggest that .cntdot.OH is responsible for 80% of the DNA single-strand breaks and the remaining 20% is due to interactions not involving .cntdot.OH.

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