Prevention of radiation-induced clastogenic effect by diltiazem in mouse bone marrow

Intraperitoneal administration of diltiazem (DTZ), half an hour prior to whole-body gamma irradiation (5.0 Gy), showed the protection of animals from radiation-induced micronuclei in bone marrow. The frequency of micronuclei elevated from 6 to 24 hrs. post-irradiation in both irradiated groups but declined thereafter. The counts of micronuclei were found to be significantly lower in DTZ treated irradiated group and it restored to normal on 7^th day, while the normal number of micronuclei observed in control group only after 28 days post-irradiation. These data demonstrate that DTZ protects mice bone marrow against radiation induced micronucleus formation.