Evidence supporting the use of: Androstenetriol
For the health condition: Radiation Sickness
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 4
Androstenetriol (5-androstenetriol or β-AET) has scientific evidence supporting its use as a potential countermeasure for radiation sickness, primarily based on preclinical research. Studies in the 1990s and 2000s, funded by the U.S. Department of Defense and other agencies, demonstrated that androstenetriol, a naturally occurring adrenal steroid, could enhance survival rates in animals exposed to lethal doses of ionizing radiation. The mechanism appears to involve stimulation of hematopoiesis (formation of blood cells) and modulation of immune responses, helping to restore immune and blood cell function after radiation exposure. Notably, androstenetriol was shown to increase white blood cell counts and enhance resistance to infections following radiation in mice and primate models.
However, despite these promising preclinical findings, there is limited published data on human trials, and androstenetriol has not been approved by regulatory authorities for clinical use in radiation sickness. Its use remains experimental, with most evidence derived from animal studies such as those cited in International Journal of Immunopharmacology (1997; 19(4-5):379-88) and U.S. military research reports. Thus, while the scientific basis is substantial in animal models, translation to clinical practice is not yet established.
In summary, androstenetriol is supported by scientific validation from animal research as a potential radioprotective agent, but lacks robust human clinical data.
