How fasting may protect the gut from radiation damage
Official title: Mechanisms of fasting-induced radioprotection of small intestinal epithelial cells
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11322666 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Short-term fasting may protect the small intestine from high-dose radiation by supporting the gut’s stem cells and changing gut bacteria and their chemical signals.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $661,519 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA269495-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11322666 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients undergoing radiation therapy or individuals at risk of acute radiation exposure who could benefit from gut-protective strategies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not receiving or needing radiation exposure or those with conditions where fasting is unsafe may not benefit.
What this research studies
In this project, researchers study how a brief fast helps the small intestine resist radiation damage by preserving its stem cells. They will look at how ketone bodies produced during fasting and gut microbiome changes influence the cells lining the intestine at the epigenetic and gene-expression level. The study uses animal models to explore the mechanisms and then translate findings toward protecting patients who might receive radiation. The ultimate goal is to uncover ways to reduce GI injury and improve survival after radiation exposure.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new, non-drug strategies (like brief fasting protocols) to protect patients’ guts during radiation therapy or in radiation exposure.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies in mice showed protection of gut stem cells from radiation with short-term fasting, supporting further exploration.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Piwnica-Worms, Helen M — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Piwnica-Worms, Helen M
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.