Protein Shields Mice from Parkinson's
Posted on: Monday, 9 February 2009, 09:24 CST
If results of a new study conducted in mice can be applied to people, Parkinson's disease and other neurological conditions may have met their match.
Researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison have found boosting levels of the naturally occurring protein Nrf-2 completely shields mice from a chemical known to induce Parkinson's disease. The protein is made by brain cells called astrocytes, which researchers believe help support neurons, the cells that actually carry nerve signals. When neurons die, they cannot be replaced, which leads to the devastating effects of neurological conditions.
"Neurons have always gotten the Academy Awards, but astrocyte dysfunction is becoming a central theme in neurodegenerative disease," study author Jeffrey Johnson was quoted as saying. "If we can figure out how to fix a sick astrocyte, or even prevent it from getting sick, which could offer profound protection against almost all neurodegenerative diseases."
In this study, mice who were genetically engineering to have extra Nrf-2 genes produced about twice the normal level of Nrf-2. When researchers injected them with a chemical called MPTP, which is known to kill neurons and cause Parkinson's, the extra Nrf-2 was 100 percent effective in warding off the chemical.
Johnson says he and his colleagues expected to see some reduction in cell death due to the treatment, but were surprised at the totality of the results. "This complete abolition of toxicity was far greater than we expected. It was striking."
Tests in humans are still at least a couple of years away, but the researchers are already looking for candidate drugs that could boost Nrf-2 production in human astrocytes. If suitable drugs are found, it could mean effective treatments not only for Parkinson's disease, but also Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and other conditions involving the brain.
SOURCE: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, published online February 2, 2009
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User Comments (2)
| 2. |
Posted by Börje Danielsson on 02/12/2009, 18:01 Hey! I´m at my sixtieth. And have PARKINSON´S disease in nerly 10 year. I have worked hard as aTaxi driver and the last two years in my own transport company, during that time of siknes. As every one know only a little about parkinson´s the first 10 years is temporary a good time and then the problem makes worse. And so do I . Untill today i have a very small problems with my P. But now it seams to be a little harder. So heard abaout the NRF 2 protein and I wonder if that stuff is available in the nature somewhere, in any food or something else. Well I hope Somebody can figure out how to fix a sick astrocyte ´, or even prevent it from getting sick as a protection against dieases like mine. PS If you need a subject to experiment. call me, I ´ll be at your service. DS My email: ddsn@bredband.net Yours Faitfully Borje Danielsson Karlstad, Sweden |
| 1. |
Posted by Börje Danielsson on 02/12/2009, 17:39 Hey! I´m at my sixtieth. And have PARKINSON´S disease in nerly 10 year. I have worked hard as aTaxi driver and the last two years in my own transport company, during that time of siknes. As every one know only a little about parkinson´s the first 10 years is temporary a good time and then the problem makes worse. And so do I . Untill today i have a very small problems with my P. But now it seams to be a little harder. So heard abaout the NRF 2 protein and I wonder if that stuff is available in the nature somewhere, in any food or something else. Well I hope Somebody can figure out how to fix a sick astrocyte ´, or even prevent it from getting sick as a protection against dieases like mine. PS If you need a subject to experiment. call me, I ´ll be at your service. DS My email: ddsn@bredband.net Yours Faitfully Borje Danielsson Karlstad, Sweden |
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