Accumulation of CAMP in γ-irradiated Thymocytes and Internucleosomal DNA Fragmentation

Dependence of thymocyte apoptosis on protein kinase C and phospholipase A2

The effect of inhibitors and activators of protein kinase C and phospholipase A2 on radiation-induced apoptosis of rat and mouse thymocytes has been studied. It is shown that the apoptosis is prevented by the protein kinase C inhibitor 1-(5-isoquinolinylsulfonyl)-2-methylpiperasine dihydrochloride and is potentiated by protein kinase C activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, calcium ionophore A23187 and concanavalin A. The protein kinase C activators initiate apoptosis in mouse but not in rat thymocytes. The inhibitor of phospholipase A2 prevents apoptosis induced by all the factors. The results obtained indicate that both protein kinase C and phospholipase A2 are involved in the thymocyte apoptosis.

Postirradiation administration of adenosine monophosphate combined with dipyridamole reduces early cellular damage in mice

The administration of dipyridamole and adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP) to mice 5 to 25 min after 1 Gy of total-body gamma irradiation was found to decrease cellular damage, as indicated by the thymidine level in plasma and the amount of saline soluble polynucleotides in the thymus. The drug combination used did not influence similar cytotoxic effects of hydrocortisone. Furthermore, it was shown that the addition of dipyridamole and AMP to in vitro irradiated suspensions of thymocytes enhanced the rejoining processes of DNA strand breaks. Receptor-mediated action of extracellular adenosine may be responsible for the therapeutic effects observed.