Discovery of a gut fungus with potential radioprotective properties
The gut-dwelling fungus Mucor racemosus may shield the body from radioactive radiation. Early studies suggest its protective effect arises from multiple mechanisms, including amino-acid–driven DNA repair and interactions with gut microbes.
خلاصه تحلیلی خبر
The gut-dwelling fungus Mucor racemosus may shield the body from radioactive radiation. Early studies suggest its protective effect arises from multiple mechanisms, including amino-acid–driven DNA repair and interactions with gut microbes.
موضوعات اصلی: fungus، mice، intestinal، radiation، reduced، inflammation
Mechanisms of the fungus in mitigating radiation effects
The growth of mold and fungi inside the body is usually undesirable, but the species Mucor racemosus living in the human gastrointestinal tract appears to help shield the body from the harmful effects of radioactive radiation. Recent studies indicate that this fungus can bolster host defenses through multiple mechanisms. In experiments on irradiated mice, those given the fungus showed less weight loss, reduced inflammation and oxidative stress compared with controls, and the protective effect was amplified when the fungus was preconditioned under intestinal hypoxia.
Additionally, in experiments with germ-free mice, administration of the fungus reduced markers of radiation injury, suggesting that its protective effect can operate largely independently of other gut microbes.
Biochemical and biological mechanisms
Cellular investigations show that this protection is mediated by three key amino acids: L-glutamic acid, L-aspartic acid, and D-lysine. These compounds directly aid in DNA repair and restoration of intestinal tissue after irradiation. The fungus also produces a chemical called MTA, which, by promoting the growth of a gut bacterium and increasing methionine production, contributes to higher radioprotection.
To evaluate therapeutic potential, researchers fed irradiated mice a fermented cheese containing the fungus. Results indicated reduced intestinal inflammation, strengthened mucosal barrier function, and lower systemic inflammatory markers compared with mice that received cheese without the fungus.
Although this fungus occurs naturally in some fermented foods and the US FDA has approved its oral consumption, researchers caution that due to safety concerns for immunocompromised individuals, more studies are needed before public dietary or medicinal use.
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