Abstract

Long periods in space may expose astronauts to the potentially harmful effects of ionizing radiation. We have used a primate model to evaluate any role of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, endotoxin) in radiation sickness. Vervet monkeys, which had been whole-body 60Co irradiated with an LD100 exposure, had periodic blood samples taken for the determination of LPS, anti-LPS IgG antibodies and bacteriological studies. On day 2 post-irradiation, primates were treated i.m. with either sterile 0.9% saline, or equine anti-LPS hyperimmune plasma (Anti-LPS), or orally with tripotassium-dicitrato-bismuthate ("Denol"). Gram positive bacteria were evident in blood samples of all animals as early as 2 d post-irradiation. Gram negative bacteria were found in the blood of saline- and Denol-treated primates by days 5 and 8, respectively, but first appeared on day 13 in the anti-LPS-treated animals. The saline controls and Denol-treated animals showed insignificant rises in plasma LPS on day 3, which increased further thereafter achieving significance on day 8 (p less than 0.01). These elevated levels persisted until death. However, in anti-LPS-treated monkeys, LPS concentrations remained below baseline until day 9, after which they rose significantly until death, but, were significantly less than the concentrations in both other groups (p less than 0.001). The anti-LPS-treated animals survived significantly longer than both the other groups (p less than 0.005). Since LPS may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia and headaches, Anti-LPS administration may be of value in reducing plasma LPS concentration in humans and improving their performance and survivability.

View details for Web of Science ID A1990DW85600003

View details for PubMedID 2241744