A Compound found in Cruciferous Vegetables Protects Cancer Patients from Grave Radiation Side Effects

A small molecule compound called DIM (3,3′-diindolylmethane), found in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage, cuts the side effects of radiation therapies on cancer patients. It is also found to have cancer preventing qualities.

This finding was brought forward by the researchers of Georgetown University Medical Center. The researchers used rats and mice to carry out the experiment.

"DIM has been studied as a cancer prevention agent for years, but this is the first indication that DIM can also act as a radiation protector," stated corresponding author, Eliot Rosen, MD, PhD, of Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, in a news release.

 The researchers gave very huge doses of gamma rays to the rats; a DIM injection was given to them after 10 minutes of being exposed to the radiations.  The injections were given for two weeks and a significant observation was made; the rats injected with DIM remained alive, whereas the rats not infused with the compound died.

"All of the untreated rats died, but well over half of the DIM-treated animals remained alive 30 days after the radiation exposure," Rosen said. "DIM also provided protection whether the first injection was administered 24 hours before or up to 24 hours after radiation exposure."

The vital compound DIM was found capable of protecting healthy cells from the radiation. It was observed that the DIM treated rats had lesser depletion of red blood cells; this is one of the side effects of chemotherapy treatment.

"DIM could protect normal tissues in patients receiving radiation therapy for cancer, but could also protect individuals from the lethal consequences of a nuclear disaster," Rosen said.

The study has also been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).