MACROMOLECULAR DESIGN OF CATIONIC POLYELECTROLYTES ON THE CHITOSAN BASIS FOR ACHIEVEMENT OF HIGH ANTIMUTAGENIC EFFICIENCY AT GAMMA-IRRADIATION

A new approach to the problem of construction of efficient antimutagen ic ( at gamma-irradiation) systems has been developed on the basis of the models- synthetic cationic polyelectrolytes- polyquaternary salts of diallyldimethylammonium type. Studies designed to reveal correlatio n between the structure and activity of polymers are of great importan ce for targetted synthesis of polymers capable to protect cells from g amma-radiation. From this point of view a positive contribution of the total charge of the macroion and antiradical activity of polycations into their antimutagenic effect were revealed. Taking into account the dependencies found, the macromolecular design of super efficient anti mutagenic systems on the basis of the natural biodegradable polycation -chitosan has been realized. The protective efficiency ( up to 93%) of the systems is achieved by combination of an adsorption ability of th e polycation matrix and antiradical activity of a hydrophobic derivati ve of hindered phenol incorporated into the polymer structure. These s ystems are able to scavenge short-lived radicals formed in water and t o some extent to prevent the membrane lipid peroxidation processes res ponsible for genetic damage at gamma-irradiation.