NVP-AUY922 relieves radiation-induced intestinal injury via regulating EPHX1

As a common side effect of radiotherapy, radiation-induced intestinal injury (RIII) greatly affects the prognosis of patients and the efficacy of radiotherapy. Current therapeutic strategies for RIII are still very limited. Thus, the identification of effective radioprotective agents is of great importance. NVP-AUY922 is an HSP90 inhibitor with favorable anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. It has been proven to mitigate radiation-induced lung injury. However, its effects on the alleviation of RIII remain unclear. In this study, our data indicated that NVP-AUY922 remarkably increased the survival rate after radiation exposure. NVP-AUY922 treatment could enhance the viability of intestinal stem cells (ISCs) and promote the recovery of the small intestine. In addition, it also inhibited intestinal inflammation and reshaped the gut microbiota structure. We found that the radioprotective effect of NVP-AUY922 is partially dependent on EPHX1. In addition, NVP-AUY922 could attenuate dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis and promote intestinal barrier recovery. Thus, our results suggest that NVP-AUY922 contributes to the amelioration of intestinal injury after radiation exposure, which offers a new approach for the prevention of RIII.