Protecting tissue and mitigating injury from radiation-induced ionizing events

Abstract

Materials and methods for reducing, preventing, or mitigating the effects of exposure to ionizing radiation are provided herein.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for reducing or mitigating, in a subject in need thereof, one or more deleterious effects of exposure to mixed field radiation, wherein the method comprises administering to the subject a composition comprising an active ingredient and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, wherein the active ingredient comprises genistein, wherein the subject is identified as having been exposed to mixed field radiation or as being at risk of exposure to mixed field radiation, and wherein the composition is effective to reduce or mitigate the one or more deleterious effects of mixed field radiation in the subject, and wherein the one or more deleterious effects are one or more of acute radiation syndrome (ARS), delayed effects of acute radiation syndrome, cardiovascular disease, tissue fibrosis, inflammation, and neurodegenerative conditions. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject is a human. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject is a first responder or is a member of the military. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the genistein is nanoparticulate genistein. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the nanoparticulate genistein has a particle size distribution characterized by a d(0.5) less than or equal to 0.3 μm. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients form a suspension medium, and wherein the one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients include a water soluble polymer comprising a polyvinylpyrrolidone. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients include a nonionic surfactant, a diluent, or a buffer. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a diluent and a preservative. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the composition further comprises a non-ionic surfactant. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the genistein is present in the composition at an amount ranging up to about 50% (w/w). 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the genistein is present in the composition at an amount of about 20% to about 35% (w/w). 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition has a genistein concentration of about 325 mg/mL. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is formulated as a powder, a granule, a tablet, a capsule, or a gel cap. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising administering the composition orally, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, or intravenously. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising administering the composition within about 48 hours before potential exposure to the mixed field radiation. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising administering the composition on a daily basis. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising administering the composition at a dose of about 5 mg/kg to about 500 mg/kg. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising administering the composition within about 24 hours after exposure to the mixed field radiation. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising administering the composition at a dose of about 5 mg/kg to about 500 mg/kg per day for about 1 day to about 90 days. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mixed field radiation comprises 32% neutron radiation and 68% gamma radiation.