Why prunes protect bones against radiation damage

Prunes may not be the most glamorous form of fruit, probably because most of us have a recollection of Aunt Mavis telling us that they “keep her regular”. However, the prune is after all, a dried plum and plums like many purple-pigmented fruits are great sources of antioxidants. So it should not be such a surprise that a new study has suggested a very modern use for the humble prune.

The results showed that prunes were the most effective at reducing expression of the genes related to bone breakdown. In net effect as well, prunes were the most effective at preventing bone loss.

Radiation exposure is relatively common these days and it can lead to changes in remodelling of bone can lead to impaired skeletal integrity resulting in osteoporosis. People exposed to radiation include cancer patients, astronauts, radiation workers and of course those exposed as a result of nuclear accidents. In the new study researchers wanted to see if there were ways to combat the mechanisms that underlie the damage that radiation does to bone.

For the study the researchers used a number of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory strategies on mice that were exposed to radiation. The strategies used were; an antioxidant cocktail (vitamin C, N-acetyl cysteine, L-selenomethionine, dihydrolipoic acid, and vitamin E), dihydrolipoic acid alone, ibuprofen, and prunes.

The results showed that prunes were the most effective at reducing expression of the genes related to bone breakdown (Nfe212, Rankl, Mcp1, Opg, and TNF-alpha). In net effect as well, prunes were the most effective at preventing bone loss. The effects are no doubt down to polyphenols on prunes including gallic acid, caffeoyl-quinic acids, coumaric acid, and rutin.

Based on this it surely won’t be long before we see prunes in space; may the prunes be with you.