The Effectiveness of Glauber’s Salt as an Antidote Therapy for the Incorporation of Radioactive Particles
Using a model of artificial radioactive particles, the effectiveness of the use of a saline laxative – Glauber’s salt as an antidote therapy agent was studied. Internal irradiation of laboratory animals (guinea pigs) and sheep was carried out in laboratory conditions with oral intake of particles simulating the radiation characte-ristics of young nuclear fission products, at doses that cause medium, severe and extremely severe forms of radiation ulcerative gastroenterocolitis. During the first 4 days after radiation exposure, Glauber’s salt was administered to each animal once a day either as a 3 ml of 20% aqueous solution (for guinea pigs) or as a 0.5 L of 12% aqueous solution (for sheep). In all animals, the drug displayed statistically significant antidote effect. Glauber’s salt decreased the severity of radiation-induced ulcerative damage to the gastrointestinal tract, enhanced the speed of healing of radiation ulcers, and increased the survival of animals. The applied approach can be used for a search for new anti-radiation antidotes.