The Prospects of 5-Androstenediol and its Synthetic Derivatives as Novel Radioprotective Drugs

The steroid hormone 5-androstenediol (5-AED) has been advanced as a possible countermeasure for protection from ionizing radiation. It is highly effective both before and after exposure to ionizing radiation and is safe and well-tolerated. 5-AED prevents radiation-induced suppression of hematopoiesis by increasing the survival of bone-marrow cell progenitors and the numbers of circulating neutrophils and platelets. The radioprotective effectiveness of 5-AED is based on stimulation of G-CSF synthesis through NF-кB pathway activation, inhibition of pyroptosis and apoptosis, repair of radiation-induced DNAdamage, and increased expression of inducible NO-synthase genes. Development of new synthetic 5-AED derivatives helps to enhance its bioavailability and makes 5-AED a prospective molecule for creating novel safe and effective radioprotective drugs.