D
docm
Guest
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Nanoparticle_May_Give_Radiation_Protection_999.html<br /><br /><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p><b>Nanoparticle May Give Radiation Protection</b><br /><br />Philadelphia PA (UPI) Nov 09, 2006<br /><br />U.S. scientists say they've determined a microscopic nanoparticle shows promise in helping reduce the side effects of radiation. Researchers at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia say the nanoparticle, DF-1, might be part of a "new class of radioprotective agents" that help protect normal tissue from radiation damage just as well as standard drugs.<br /><br />The scientists have shown DF-1 -- a soccer ball-shaped, hollow, carbon-based structure known as a fullerene -- is as good as two other antioxidant drugs and the FDA-approved drug Amifostine in offering protection from radiation.<br /><br />Led by Dr. Adam Dicker, professor of radiation oncology at Jefferson Medical College, and Dr. Ulrich Rodeck, professor of dermatology, the scientists compared DF-1 to two superoxidase dismutase mimetics, which are antioxidant drugs. They exposed zebrafish embryos to radiation with either DF-1, a superoxide dismutase, or Amifostine.<br /><br />The researchers found each of the three markedly reduced radiation damage, increased overall survival and was comparable to the protection provided by the Amifostine.<br /><br />The scientists reported their study this week in Philadelphia during the annual meeting of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology.<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>