[Radioprotectors: History, Trends and Prospects].

The search for ideal protective agents for use in a variety of radiation scenarios has continued for more than six decades. This review describes the history of the major discoveries, shows the chronology of the changes in attitudes, trends and paradigms. The readers are invited to meet with various classes of chemical compounds that have the potential to protect against acute and late effects of ionizing radiation when administered either before or after radiation exposure. The work represents characteristics of radioprotective agents such as a dose reduction factor, time of administration, tissue specificity, toxicity; the mechanisms of their action and practical applications are also described. A separate chapter considers the further development prospects and directions in this field of research.