Oxygen Poisoning and X-irradiation: A Mechanism in Common

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews oxygen poisoning and X-irradiation. Exposure to unphysiologically high tensions of oxygen causes irreversible damage to living matter. The problem of oxygen toxicity is important in clinical medicine and in deep-sea diving. A consideration of various isolated reports leads to the hypothesis that oxygen poisoning and the primary action of X-irradiation have a common basis of action: possibly the formation of the oxidizing free radicals OH, and O2H, and H2O2. The evidence of a protective effect of coenzyme A against X-rays and against oxygen toxicity in experiments is incomplete and needs further studies. The chapter presents a table reporting the effect of X-rays and protective agents on oxygen poisoning in mice.