Peroxiredoxin 6 is a natural radioprotector.

After injection of 20 mg/kg peroxiredoxin 6 to male Kv:SHK mice 15 min before X-ray irradiation in the range of lethal doses (7-10 Gy), the mice remained alive for 30 days, whereas the mortality of the control animals was 100%. In the irradiated animals, peroxiredoxin 6 decreased the severity of radiation-induced leucopenia, granulocytopenia, and thrombocytopenia, increased the number of blood corpuscles, and prevented the mass death of epithelial cells and the destruction of the small intestine. Thus, peroxiredoxin 6 can be regarded as a prophylactic radioprotective agent.