Radiosensitization of Human Erythrocytes by Diethyldithiocarbamate

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Abstract
Erythrocytes are highly radioresistant. Recent evidence suggests that superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1) may play a role in the radioresistance of this cell by the removal of the highly reactive superoxide anion, O2-. The drug diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) was used to inactivate SOD to determine whether the O2- generated through water radiolysis is involved in the radiation-induced hemolysis of erythrocytes, and the role of SOD in the observed radioresistance of erythrocytes. There is a marked increase in the radiosensitivity of cells treated with the SOD-inhibiting drug DDC. Irradiation generated O2- along with other highly reactive oxidants are free to either damage the membrane and/or Hb. SOD plays a major role in erythrocyte radioresistance. Whether SOD functions similarly in other radioresistant cell-types remains to be investigated. However, if SOD does contribute to the radioresistance of these other cell-types, it may be possible to radiosensitize these cells with diethyldithiocarbamate.

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