Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Gut Fungus Shows Potential Radiation Protection in Mice
Scientists studied a fungus called Mucor racemosus that can live in the gut.
They gave the fungus to mice before exposing them to radiation.
The mice given the fungus showed fewer signs of illness than mice that did not receive it.
They lost less weight and had less inflammation and cell damage.
The fungus made substances that helped repair DNA and intestinal tissue.
It also changed the activity of a gut bacterium called Limosilactobacillus reuteri.
This helped produce more methionine, which added to the protective effect.
Cheese fermented with the fungus also helped reduce damage in the mice.
The study does not show yet that the fungus protects people from radiation.
Chinese scientists reported that the symbiotic fungus Mucor racemosus reduced radiation-related damage in mice.
Mice given the fungus experienced less weight loss, inflammation, oxidative stress, and intestinal injury than control mice.
The fungus produced three amino acids that helped repair DNA and support intestinal tissue recovery.
It also produced methylthioadenosine, which altered Limosilactobacillus reuteri and increased methionine production.
Cheese fermented with the fungus reduced intestinal inflammation and improved intestinal barrier integrity in irradiated mice.
- Who
- A team of Chinese scientists studied Mucor racemosus in mice.
- What
- The researchers found that the fungus reduced several forms of radiation-related intestinal and systemic damage in mice.
- When
- The publication date is not stated; the study was published in PNAS.
- Where
- The experiments were conducted in mice, including mice without microorganisms; the specific research location is not stated.
- Why
- The researchers investigated whether Mucor racemosus could protect against radiation-induced injury and examined how it worked.
- Fungus studied
- Mucor racemosus, described as a symbiotic fungus found in the human gut
- Main test
- Mice were given the fungus and exposed to radiation
- Observed effects
- Less weight loss, inflammation, oxidative stress, and intestinal injury
- Amino acids produced
- L-glutamic acid, L-aspartic acid, and DL-lysine
- Other chemical produced
- Methylthioadenosine, or MTA
- Gut bacterium involved
- Limosilactobacillus reuteri
- Food test
- Cheese fermented with the fungus reduced intestinal inflammation and improved intestinal barrier integrity