Oral administration of melanin for protection against radiation

Abstract

Methods and compositions are provided for alleviating and/or preventing one or more side effects associated with exposure to radiation in a subject exposed to radiation or at risk for exposure to radiation comprising oral administration to the subject of an amount of an edible source of melanin effective to alleviate a side effect associated with radiation.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . An agent for computer tomography comprising a drinkable suspension containing at least 250 mg of a dried powdered edible source of melanin in a volume of at least 10 mL, wherein the edible source of melanin comprises  Auricularia auricular - judae.    
     
     
         28 . A method of reducing radiation damage from a computer tomography (CT) scan of a subject comprising administering the agent of  claim 27  to the subject prior to the CT scan