Protective Effect of Adrenochrome Monoguanylhydrozone Methansulfonate (S-Adchnon) on the Hematopoietic Organ as Revealed in Irradiated Cancer Patients

Adrenochrome monoguanylhydrozone methansulfonate (S-Adchnon) has the highest solubility in water among adrenochrome derivatives. From the action of S-Adchnon against capillaries, protective effect against radiation-induced damages of hematopoietic organs is to be considered. A dose of 100-300 mg of S-Adchnon was given 15-30 minutes before eve ry expected irradiation by single intravenous injection, or it was ad ministered in divided doses orally during the course of radiation therapy of cancer patients. A total of 150 cases treated by S-Adchnon were compared with 100 control cases receiving no protective agent. Varia tion of erythrocyte counts and hemoglobin contents was less than 5 in either S-Adchnon cases or control cases. The mean rate of reduc tion of leucocyte counts was 22•}4 % in S-Adchnon-administered cases compared with 30•}4 % in control cases indicating considerable effect of the drug. The mean rate of reduction of thrombocyte counts was 27•}1 3 % in S-Adchnon administered cases and 40•}9 % in control cases. This difference was also statistically significant. S-Adchnon was con sidered as one of the effective agent to reduce the side effect of radia tion therapy on hematopoietic organ.