The radioprotective effect of Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid (EDTA) on gamma-irradiated male Mus musculus

The radioprotective effect of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) on male Mus musculus exposed to 550-r of whole-body gamma irradiation, was studied. There were 4 groups: control (without radiation, without EDTA) treatment 1 (without radiation, with EDTA) treatment 2 (with radiation, without EDTA) and treatment 3 (with radiation, with EDTA). There were 3 mice per group whose red blood cell count, white blood cell count and platelet count, were determined on days 2, 5 and 11 post-irradiation. Body weight was also determined initially and on days 2, 5 and 11 post-irradiation. Spleen weight was determined on the 11th day. Using a 2-way ANOVA the deleterious effect of radiation was found to be significant as shown by decrease in the blood parameters and body weight. The same effect was evident on the spleen weight using a 1-way ANOVA. EDTA is a toxic substance which has an adverse effect on mice. However, it also has a significant radioprotective effect when given to mice prior to irradiation as evidenced by higher blood cell counts and weights