Drug Protects Against Effects of Nuclear Radiation Poisoning

A group of physicians have discovered a peptide called TP508 that may be able to prevent intestinal damage from severe radiation exposure.

The study, led by researchers from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB), was recently published in the journal Laboratory Investigation. [1]

The research team exposed a group of mice to acute levels of radiation while monitoring the test subject’s intestines. Although significant radiation exposure can cause a number of potentially lethal health complications, gastrointestinal toxicity syndrome is one of the most severe.

This condition causes the beneficial bacteria living in our intestines to migrate to other parts of the body. Side effects can include severe dehydration and sepsis.

When an injection of TP508 was administered to the mice after 24 hours the researchers noticed positive results.

“Not only did the drug prevent the destruction of the intestinal barrier cells, it boosted biomarkers characteristic of cell repair,” writes Popular Science. [2]

Lead author, UTMB’s Carla Kantara said in a statement [3] she believed, “The current results suggest that the peptide may be an effective emergency nuclear countermeasure that could be delivered within 24 hours after exposure to increase survival and delay mortality, giving victims time to reach facilities for advanced medical treatment.”

A compound called Prussian Blue [4] is the current standard of care for radiation poisoning. This drug can protect people from some of the damage induced by radiation exposure, but leaves the intestinal barrier unprotected.