Figure 2:  Increased survival in mice exposed to lethal doses of gamma-radiation and given single-dose treatment with bFGF or synthetic FGF analogs.   Unlike other radioprotectants which must be administered prior to irradiation, the time window for cytokine-mediated radioprotection extends several hours after irradiation.  Unlike natural or recombinant protein cytokines / growth factors, synthetic FGF analogs survive the GI tract and can be administered orally.