Radiation injury and gut microbiota-based treatment

Abstract

The exposure to either medical sources or accidental radiation can cause varying degrees of radiation injury (RI). RI is a common disease involving multiple human body parts and•organs, yet effective treatments are currently limited. Accumulating evidence suggests gut microbiota are closely associated with the development and prevention of various RI. This article summarizes ten common types of RI and their possible mechanisms. It also highlights the changes and potential microbiota-based treatments for RI, including probiotics, metabolites, and microbiota transplantation. Additionally, a 5P-Framework is proposed to provide a comprehensive strategy for managing RI.

Microbiome profiling and Co-metabolism pathway analysis in cervical cancer patients with acute radiation enteritis

“…Ehrlich et al [ 33 ] confirmed that Bifidobacterium infantis produces indole-3-lactic acid and protects cultured intestinal endothelial cells (IEC) by activating aryl hydrogen receptors and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a treatment method that reconstructs the patient's intestinal microbiota by isolating the intestinal flora of healthy people and transplanting it into the patient's intestine [ 34 , 35 ]. Xiao et al [ 36 ] found in animal studies that FMT could increase the level of microbial-derived indole-3-propionic acid in the feces of irradiated mice, thus reducing systemic inflammation levels, reducing hematopoietic organ damage, relieving bone marrow suppression, and improving gastrointestinal function and maintain the integrity of the IEC.…”

The Importance of Microbiota and Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Pancreatic Disorders

“…In addition to its role in combatting recurrent CDI, FMT has shown promise in the field of oncology, especially in mitigating the side effects of tumor radiotherapy [30][31][32]. Radiation therapy often leads to damage and has negative effects on the gut microbiota's composition [33].…”

“…Consequently, the researchers proposed that FMT could serve as a radioprotective agent, potentially improving outcomes in cancer treatment involving radiotherapy [34,35]. In addition to its role in combatting recurrent CDI, FMT has shown promise in the field of oncology, especially in mitigating the side effects of tumor radiotherapy [30][31][32]. Radiation therapy often leads to damage and has negative effects on the gut microbiota's composition [33].…”

Healthful nutrition as a prevention and intervention paradigm to promote radiation resistance and human health

“…However, nutritional interventions for RI are rare and suboptimal. Limited data, including integrative multi-omic profiling, suggest that the pathology of RI and related diseases induced by exposure to radiation toxicities is complex, with the gut microbiota potentially involved in the disturbance (W. Wang et al, 2023). Interestingly, nutritional intervention of plant-derived diets and/or biotics, such as prebiotics and probiotics, can modulate the gut microbiota balance as well.…”