Exposure to ionizing radiation, such as from medical treatment or accidents, can result in gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances, including intestinal hemorrhage and death.  
 
A recent animal study provided evidence that Gamma-Tocotrienol (GT3) may help reduce the severity of intestinal tissue injuries caused by radiation exposure, specifically because of its ability to accumulate in endothelial cells and exhibit antioxidant activity.
 
“Nowadays, radiation therapy is a commonly used treatment for a wide variety of cancers. The GI system is among the most radio-sensitive organs in the body. However, pharmacologic strategies for preventing or treating radiation-induced intestinal injury are currently very limited. The findings of this exceptional study provided insight into the potential value of tocotrienols in the development of potential natural phytonutrients for the development of efficient radiation medical countermeasures. Of course, this should be further strengthened with more in-depth research”, said Dr. Ariati Aris, Scientific Affairs Specialist at PhytoGaia.
 
The research, published in Antioxidants, showed that GT3 expedited GI recovery in rhesus monkeys exposed to radiation using X-ray from a linear accelerator. Non-human primates are considered useful for research on human acute radiation syndrome.
 
The group of researchers exposed monkeys to a radiation dose of 12 Gy partial-body radiation. One group received 37.5 mg/kg of GT3, and blood and intestinal tissue were collected on various days of post-irradiation for histopathology and biomarkers analysis.
 
In both the non-treated and treated groups, partial body irradiation significantly reduced mucosal surface length at day seven. GT3 was associated with increased crypt survival at day 4, and exhibited the potential to regulate progenitor cell survival in the small intestine at an early time point.
 
PBI induced a significant decrease in both groups in plasma citrulline levels, which persisted until day seven. Compared to the non-treated group, the GT3-treated group also showed an increase in Ki-67 positive cells, as well as a significant decrease in plasma citrulline levels by the seventh day of the study.
 
This indicated to the researchers that there was a significant beneficial effect on intestinal injury recovery.
 
“This groundbreaking study provides new evidence that tocotrienols may also have radioprotective properties, offering hope for a new potential weapon in the fight against radiation-induced injuries,” said Bryan See, vice president at PhytoGaia. Tocotrienols, especially Gamma-Tocotrienol, can be found in a variety of foods, but are most abundant in palm fruits. At PhytoGaia, we have harnessed the power of tocotrienols in our naturally, sustainably-sourced product, TocoGaia.”