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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
09:46
Catalytic Scavenging of Plant Reactive Oxygen Species In Vivo by Anionic Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles
Published on: August 26, 2018
Shewanella-Augmented Cerium Oxide Nanoclusters With Superior Antioxidant Activity for Enhanced Radioprotection of
Haidong Li1, Yuanyuan Shi1, Weihao An2
1MOE Frontiers Science Center for Rare Isotopes, State Key Laboratory of Natural Product Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
Advanced Healthcare Materials
|August 4, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed a self-regenerating nanozyme, SW@CeO2, for radiation-induced gastrointestinal syndrome (RIGS). This bio-hybrid utilizes bacterial electron transfer to continuously scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS), significantly improving survival rates in mice.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Radioprotection
Background:
- Conventional antioxidants have limited catalytic capacity and face challenges from gastrointestinal barriers.
- Radiation-induced gastrointestinal syndrome (RIGS) requires effective oral radioprotectants.
- Developing stable and continuously active radioprotective agents is a significant challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel, self-regenerating oral radioprotectant.
- To overcome the limitations of conventional antioxidants in the gastrointestinal environment.
- To harness microbial extracellular electron transfer for sustained nanozyme activity.
Main Methods:
- In situ growth of cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles on electroactive Shewanella oneidensis (SW) bacteria to create SW@CeO2 bio-hybrid nanozymes.
- Utilized bacterial extracellular electron transfer (EET) to sustain the Ce3+/Ce4+ redox cycle for reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging.
- Evaluated gastrointestinal stability, biodistribution, intestinal colonization, oxidative stress mitigation, intestinal barrier integrity, gut microbiota modulation, and survival rates in a lethal irradiation mouse model.
Main Results:
- SW@CeO2 demonstrated excellent gastrointestinal stability, favorable biodistribution, and effective intestinal colonization.
- The bio-hybrid successfully mitigated oxidative stress, preserved intestinal barrier integrity, and modulated gut microbiota composition.
- Oral administration of SW@CeO2 increased the survival rate in a lethal irradiation mouse model from 0% to 80%.
Conclusions:
- SW@CeO2 represents a novel bio-hybrid nanozyme capable of self-regeneration through microbial electron transport.
- This approach provides a sustained catalytic scavenging of ROS, offering a robust solution for radioprotection.
- The findings present a new paradigm for developing effective oral radioprotectants against radiation-induced gastrointestinal syndrome.
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