How the Fungus Mucor racemosus Shields the Gut from Radiation and Promotes Healing

Enzymatic Defense Against Radiation Damage

According to НВ — Техно: Researchers have uncovered a natural way to protect the gut from the harmful effects of radiation. A study published in PNAS reveals that the filamentous fungus Mucor racemosus possesses radioprotective properties, safeguarding intestinal tissues from radiation injury and encouraging their recovery. Experiments on germ-free mice, which lacked their own microbiota, demonstrated a significant reduction in radiation damage markers compared to untreated controls.

Key Benefits of Mucor racemosus

This fungus produces essential amino acids, including:

• L-glutamic acid
• L-aspartic acid
• DL-lysine

These amino acids play a crucial role in repairing DNA and regenerating intestinal cells following radiation exposure, marking a promising advancement for preventing radiation-induced injuries. Additionally, Mucor racemosus synthesizes methylthioadenosine (MTA), a compound that encourages the growth of beneficial bacteria such as Limosilactobacillus reuteri, known for producing methionine.

Further findings revealed that diets including cheese fermented with M. racemosus helped reduce intestinal inflammation in irradiated mice and strengthened the gut's protective barrier. While this fungus has received regulatory approval for use in the food industry, caution is advised for immunocompromised individuals due to potential risks.

Ongoing research aims to establish safe dosages and application methods to harness Mucor racemosus for preventing and treating radiation damage. Understanding these natural defense mechanisms could pave the way for innovative medical and nutritional approaches, especially in environments with elevated radiation exposure risks.

The study of Mucor racemosus highlights the potential of natural agents in combating radiation injuries and may inspire new developments in food science.

Continued investigation in this field may lead to effective, nature-based strategies for protection and recovery from radiation effects.