Some mechanisms involved in the radiosensitization of E. coli B/r by paracetamol.
Paracetamol, a widely-used analgestic and antipyretic drug, sensitized E. coli B/r to 60Co gamma-rays under hypoxic conditions. Part of the sensitizing effect has been shown to be due to an electron adduct of the drug. Paracetamol inhibited both post-irradiation DNA and protein syntheses. The targets involved in the inhibition of post-irradiation DNA synthesis have been shown to be different in the presence of the sensitizer. Increased DNA degradation after irradiation was also observed when E. coli B/r were irradiated in the presence of the drug. The presence of paracetamol during hypoxic irradiation of E. coli B/r resulted in the enhancement of DNA single-strand scissions with no apparent effect on their rejoining.
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D005720:Gamma Rays; D010100:Oxygen; D012329:RNA, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes; D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D000082:Acetaminophen; D010100:Oxygen