Fullerenol@nano-montmorillonite nanocomposite as an efficient radioprotective agent for ameliorating radioactive duodenal injury

Duodenal injury caused by radiotherapy of upper tumor is a serious and inescapable complication due to the special anatomical structure and complex intestinal microenvironment of duodenum. However, the prevention and treatment of radiation-induced damage of duodenum are still a challenge in clinic. In this study, fullerenol@nano-montmorillonite (FNMT) nanocomposite was obtained by mechanical synthesis which processes good chemical stability, long retention time in duodenum and high free radical scavenging activity. And for the first time we explore its role in protecting duodenum damage caused by X-ray irradiation. On the one hand, fullerenol, with good water solubility, chemical stability, and extensive free radical scavenging ability, can effectively alleviate mitochondrial and DNA damage caused by radiation-generated reactive oxygen species (ROS). On the other hand, nano-montmorillonite (NMMT) is used as a drug carrier, which enables the long residence time of fullerenol in duodenum because of its strong intestinal adhesion ability. By taking advantage of both fullerenol and NMMT, the FNMT nanocomposite significantly reduces radiation-induced diarrhea, weight loss, and duodenum tissue pathological damage of mice. This study not only establishes a new platform for duodenal radioprotective agent based on nanomaterials but also has a potential for clinical transformation.