Cabbage helps reduce side effects after radiotherapy
Last reviewed: 16.10.2021
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Periodically, scientists in their studies show the properties of some products to reduce the risk of developing cancers. Now the object of experiments was cabbage - colored, broccoli, white-headed. Specialists found that the compounds contained in cabbage can protect against radiation. This property of cabbage is promising for mitigating the consequences after radiotherapy or after radiation training in anthropogenic disasters.
Experts believe that the indole-3-carbinol, contained in the cabbage, which splits into the body and forms 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM) possesses an anticarcinogenic property.
DIM for several years was investigated precisely as an anti-cancer drug; recently specialists from different scientific centers and medical universities in China and the USA found out that DIM is able to protect experimental mice and rats from fatal radiation doses. Scientists believe that DIM has the ability to protect healthy tissues for radiation therapy of cancers, as well as for man-made disasters.
All experiments were performed in rats. All experimental animals were irradiated with a lethal dose of radiation, after which one group of rats were treated with DIM. The drug was administered every day for two weeks in small doses. Experts experienced different modes of drug administration, but always DIM significantly increased the percentage of survival. More than half of the animals survived a life-threatening radiation dose. Three months after the start of the experiment, the surviving rats were healthy and vigorous, while rats who had not been treated with DIM died within 10 days.
According to experts, DIM activates an enzyme that regulates the response to DNA damage and oxidative stress that begins in irradiated cells, resulting in cells protected from the effects of radiation exposure. DIM promotes the restoration of DNA ruptures, thereby preventing cell death. But the substance is not capable of affecting breast cancer cells (transplanted into the body of mice).
This valuable quality, like the protection of exceptionally healthy tissues, allows DIM to be used as an emollient against side effects in radiation treatment of cancer tumors. In animals treated with DIM, a decrease in the number of blood cells was observed not so much.
Experts hope that DIM can be used in two areas: the protection of normal tissues in radiation therapy and the preservation of the lives of people who have been the victims of man-made disasters.
DIM is a small molecule, so the drug is well suited for use, both in the form of tablets and as injections. Therefore, depending on the patient's condition, it will be possible to choose the optimal way of drug administration into the body. The drug is completely non-toxic and retains its effectiveness, even if it is first accepted, 24 hours after irradiation. And this is a rather important quality, since people who have suffered from radiation can not always provide immediate medical assistance.
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