Glucan effect on the survival of mice after radiation exposure.

The effect of glucan (beta-1,3-polyglucose) was investigated on the radiation-induced damage to the system of non-specific immunity in mice. A positive influence of glucan administered before exposure to a dose of 200 R was observed on the following parameters of postradiation regeneration: while blood cell count, due mainly to increased granulocyte count, increased per cent of peroxidase-positive cells in bone marrow, increased mass and cellularity of the spleen, in relation to the group of the animals not receiving the preparation. Administration of glucan 5 days before exposure to 650 R of X-rays prolonged the mean survival time. Administration of the preparation after exposure to radiation had no significant effect on the survival time of mice.