Radioprotective effect of 2-mercaptopropionyl glycine on radiation-induced lipid peroxidation and enzyme release in erythrocytes.

gamma-Irradiation of erythrocyte suspensions resulted in lipid peroxidation and enzyme (acetylcholinesterase, AChE) release. The presence of 2-mercaptopropionyl glycine (MPG) during irradiation decreased lipid peroxidation and enzyme (acetylcholinesterase, AChE) release. The presence of 2-mercaptopropionyl glycine (MPG) during irradiation decreased lipid peroxidation and from erythrocytes of high and low concentrations was observed at 480 and 320 Gy, respectively. This implied that the extent of enzyme release is likely to be masked when only a single dose of radiation is used, unless it happens to be an optimum dose. MPG mediated inhibition of lipid peroxidation and enzyme release indicated that lipid peroxidation may induce the breakdown of the phosphatidylinositol/enzyme interaction. Further, the enzyme damage was assigned to the direct and indirect effects of radiation on the enzyme in situ.