title: Application of polarography to the study of chemical radiosensitization of DNA components.
abstract: The half-wave reduction potentials of a range of nitroheterocyclic compounds were measured polarographically and compared with their radiosensitizing abilities in a simple radiation biochemical assay for damage to 5'-GMP. The chemical enhancement ratio for sensitization of inorganic phosphate release from irradiated 5'-GMP, increased with sensitizer electron affinity, but in a non-linear manner. An onset of sensitization was observed for nitroheterocyclics with half-wave potentials less negative then -0.05V vs. standard calomel electrode and maximum sensitization, approaching the oxygen effect, was obtained at a sensitizer half-wave potential of -0.25 V vs. standard calomel electrode. Nitroheterocyclic sensitizers with half-wave potentials in this range may be potential clinical radiotherapeutic agents.
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA / Q000528:radiation effects; D004563:Electrochemistry; D006150:Guanine Nucleotides / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006571:Heterocyclic Compounds; D011048:Polarography / Q000379:methods*; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D011854:Radiochemistry; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D006150:Guanine Nucleotides; D006571:Heterocyclic Compounds; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D004247:DNA