Radiation Protection by a Number of Substances Preventing Freezing Damage

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Abstract
A number of substances preventing cells from freezing damage were investigated with regard to their protective action against x-irradiation. Reproductive integrity was used as a criterion for cell-survival. Three groups of compounds could be distinguished. (A) Substances correlating a protective action against damage due to freezing with a protective activity against radiation injury; glycols, glycerol, dimethyl sulphoxide and other compounds belonging to this group. (B) Substances protecting against freezing but not against irradiation; pyridine N-oxide being the most typical representative of this group. (C) Substances protecting against irradiation but not against freezing (methanol, ethanol, resorcinol). The results are critically discussed and interpreted as being supportive of Webb's hypothesis that glycerol protects by replacing bound water in the sheath of intracellular macromolecules. Chemicals protecting against freezing injury have polar properties and are able to replace bound water. The fact whether they protect against irradiation or not depends on their other physicochemical properties.