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Updated: Jun 23, 2026
09:10
Intestinal Epithelial Regeneration in Response to Ionizing Irradiation
Published on: July 27, 2022
Dietary Spermidine Mitigates Radiation-Induced Intestinal Injury by Reshaping the Microbiota-Barrier-Inflammation
Song Li1, Yanjiang Liu2, Minglin Jiang3
1School of Laboratory Medicine Chengdu Medical College Chengdu China.
Food Science & Nutrition
|June 22, 2026
Summary
Spermidine (SPD) protects against radiation-induced intestinal injury by improving survival and reducing damage. It works by activating protective pathways, strengthening the gut barrier, and rebalancing gut bacteria, making it a promising radioprotective agent.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Radiation Oncology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Radiation-induced intestinal injury (RIII) is a severe complication of radiotherapy, necessitating effective radioprotective agents.
- Current treatments lack efficacy and possess significant toxicity.
- Spermidine (SPD), a natural polyamine, has potential health benefits, but its role in RIII is unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the radioprotective effects of spermidine (SPD) against radiation-induced intestinal injury (RIII).
- To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of SPD's protective action in a preclinical model.
Main Methods:
- Whole-abdominal irradiation was administered to a mouse model.
- Mice were pretreated with spermidine (SPD).
- Survival rates, intestinal pathology, oxidative stress markers, DNA damage, tight junction protein expression, inflammatory cytokines, and gut microbiota composition (16S rRNA sequencing) were assessed.
Main Results:
- SPD significantly improved survival rates and mitigated intestinal damage (crypt loss, villus shortening).
- SPD activated the Nrf2 pathway, reducing oxidative stress and DNA double-strand breaks.
- SPD enhanced intestinal barrier integrity (Occludin, ZO-1) and decreased systemic inflammation (IL-6).
- SPD prevented gut dysbiosis, promoting beneficial bacteria and suppressing pathogens.
Conclusions:
- Spermidine (SPD) demonstrates significant radioprotective effects against radiation-induced intestinal injury (RIII).
- SPD acts through multiple mechanisms, including Nrf2 activation, barrier protection, and microbiota modulation.
- SPD is a promising candidate for preventing and treating RIII.
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