Genetic Upregulation of Activated Protein C Mitigates Delayed Effects of Acute Radiation Exposure in Mouse Plasma

This study investigates the role of activated protein C (APC) in mitigating delayed effects of acute radiation exposure (DEARE) in mice. Using the APCHi mouse model, which expresses a hyper-activatable variant of protein C, researchers exposed male and female mice to 9.5 Gy γ-rays and analyzed plasma at 6 months post-exposure. The study found significant dyslipidemia and metabolic dysregulations indicative of inflammatory responses and organ damage. However, APCHi mice exhibited near-normal lipid levels and restored plasma metabolites, suggesting APC's protective effects against radiation injuries. The findings highlight APC's potential in modulating plasma molecular events post-radiation in a gender-specific manner.