The compound, called DIM, also reduced severity of radiation effects
This is the first time DIM has been found to act as a radiation protector
Half of rats treated with DIM for two weeks after radiation exposure survived
The researchers have described their results as ‘stunning’
The humble cabbage could be the key to protecting people from radiation during cancer therapy.
Researchers claim a compound derived from cruciferous vegetable – such as cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli – protected rats and mice from lethal doses of radiation.
Their study suggests the compound, already shown to be safe for humans, may protect normal tissues during radiation therapy for cancer treatment and prevent or mitigate sickness caused by radiation exposure.
The humble cabbage could be the key to protecting people from radiation during cancer therapy, according to latest research in the U.S.
The compound – known as DIM (or ,3′-diindolylmethane) – previously has been found to have cancer preventative properties.
The study’s corresponding author Doctor Eliot Rosen, of Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Centre in the U.S., said: ‘DIM has been studied as a cancer prevention agent for years, but this is the first indication that DIM can also act as a radiation protector.’
For the study, the researchers irradiated rats with lethal doses of gamma ray radiation.
The animals were then treated with a daily injection of DIM for two weeks, starting 10 minutes after the radiation exposure.
Their study suggests the compound, already shown to be safe for humans, may protect normal tissues during radiation therapy for cancer treatment and prevent or mitigate sickness caused by radiation exposure
The DIM compound can be derived from cruciferous vegetable such as cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli
The result was stunning, according to Dr Rosen, who is a professor of oncology, biochemistry and cell and molecular biology, and radiation medicine.
He said: ‘All of the untreated rats died, but well over half of the DIM-treated animals remained alive 30 days after the radiation exposure.’
Dr Rosen added that DIM also provided protection whether the first injection was administered 24 hours before or up to 24 hours after radiation exposure.
He said: ‘We also showed that DIM protects the survival of lethally irradiated mice.’
In addition, irradiated mice treated with DIM had less reduction in red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets – side effects often seen in patients undergoing radiation treatment for cancer.
He said the study points to two potential uses of the compound, adding: ‘DIM could protect normal tissues in patients receiving radiation therapy for cancer, but could also protect individuals from the lethal consequences of a nuclear disaster.’
Dr Rosen and his colleagues are co-inventors on a patent application that has been filed by Georgetown University related to the usage of DIM and DIM-related compounds as radio-protectors.
The research was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2459012/Could-cabbage-protect-effects-radiation.html#ixzz2hmCglD44
