Cabbage, Brussel Sprouts Compound Protects Against Radiation

A breakthrough discovery was made at Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC) in Washington, DC, after researchers discovered that a compound present in cruciferous vegetables, such as cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli, is not only anti-cancerous, but it also protects mice from lethal doses of radiation.

The new study, in the latest online issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), suggests the compound may protect human's healthy tissues during radiation therapy for cancer treatment and avoid or alleviate illness produced by radiation exposure. The compound in question is called 3,3'-diindolylmethane, known more simply as "DIM," has already proved to be safe for use in humans.

"All of the untreated rats died but well over half of the DIM-treated animals were alive 30 days after the radiation exposure," Eliot Rosen, a co-author of the study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), said.

The researchers noted the rodents responded well to treatment with DIM even when it was administered 24 hours after exposure. This is important for humans since treatment might be delayed after a person has been exposed to radiation.

As a result of the study, Georgetown University has filed a patent for using DIM and DIM-related compounds as protection against radiation.

DIM is found all cruciferous vegetables, such as cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and Swiss chard.

According to the study, DIM can only be administered safely by injection or by mouth to humans. However, it is unclear if just eating cabbage will protect against radiation exposure.

The study was funded by the US Public Health Service, the Drug Discovery Program at Georgetown University and a Dean's Pilot Research Award.