Toxicity and Radioprotective Efficacy of Bis (3,5-Diisopropylsalicylato) Copper II and CuCl2

Bis (3, 5-diisopropylsalicylato) copper II (CuDIPs), a low molecular weight lipid-soluble complex, has been suggested to be an effective, nontoxic radioprotectant in mice exposed to gamma radiation from a 60Co source (1). CuDIPs has also been shown to have antiinflammatory activity (2) and to catalyze the disproportionation of superoxide (3). In view of these observations, the present study examined the toxicity and radioprotective efficacy of CuDIPs, as well as those of diisopropylsalicylate (DIPs) and CuCl₂, in both male and female B6D2F1 mice.