Methods for treating combined radiation and thermal injury

1. A method for improving survival in a subject that has suffered combined (i) exposure to total body ionizing irradiation of at least 0.2 Gy, and (ii) second degree burns over at least 7% of the subject's total body surface area, comprising administering to the subject an amount effective to treat the radiation effects and the burn of a peptide consisting of the peptide of SEQ ID NO:1 (Asp-Arg-Nle-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro), or a pharmaceutical salt thereof, wherein the method improves survival in the subject compared to control.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method results in accelerated burn healing compared to control.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject has suffered second degree burns to one or more of the trunk, back, head, arm, or leg.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject has been exposed to total body ionizing irradiation of between 0.2 Gy and 10 Gy.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject has been exposed to total body ionizing irradiation of between 1 Gy and 10 Gy.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject has been exposed to total body ionizing irradiation of between 2 Gy and 10 Gy.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject has suffered cumulative exposure to total body ionizing irradiation of at least 20 cGy.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the total body ionizing radiation is selected from the group consisting of beta-irradiation, gamma-irradiation, and X-ray.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the total body ionizing irradiation is caused by exposure to a radiation source selected from the group consisting of nuclear weapons, nuclear power facilities, nuclear powered vehicles, and environment contaminated by radioactive materials.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the peptide is administered within three days of total body ionizing irradiation exposure.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the peptide is administered topically.