New research re****ts new method to protect brain cells from diseases
like Alzheimer's
Published in the August 15, 2008 issue of the Journal of Biological
Chemistry, the research focuses on the cellular and molecular
mechanisms of inflammation, specifically the role these relatively
recently discovered endogenous cannabinoids can play in the control of
COX-2 and other cyclooxygenases.
COX-2 is a key player in neuroinflammation and has been implicated in
the development of neurodegenerative diseases and worsening of damage
from such insults as traumatic brain injury and stroke.
Chen and research associate Jian Zhang show that endocannabinoid 2-
arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) functions as an endogenous COX-2
inhibitor, turning off the production of COX-2 which normally goes
into overdrive in response to pro-inflammatory and certain types of
toxic stimuli, resulting in the injury or death of brain cells.
The researchers also revealed the specific signaling pathways that
regulate the 2-AG suppression of COX-2. The paper, Endocannabinoid 2-
Arachidonoylglycerol Protects Neurons by Limiting COX-2 Elevation, is
available online at http://www.jbc.org
.
"Our findings provide a basis for opening up new therapeutic
approaches to protect neurons from inflammation and toxicity-induced
neurodegeneration," notes Chen. "Selective COX-2 inhibitors were
thought to be a promising medicine in treating neurodegenerative
diseases, stroke, cancers and inflammation-related diseases like
arthritis; however, the occurrence of a series of cardiovascular
complications in patients receiving COX-2 inhibitors has led to their
recent withdrawal from the market and limits on their usages. Our
research has shown that the use of endogenous cannabinoid 2-AG may
avoid such side effects. Therefore, elevation of endogenous 2-AG
levels by facilitating its production, inhibiting its decomposition,
or directly supplying 2-AG may result in treatment advances to prevent
the devastation of disorders like stroke, Alzheimer's and traumatic
brain injury."
----------------
Cancer spread 'could be halted'
New blood vessels aid cancer spread
Scientists have uncovered more evidence of a "switch" which allows
breast cancer to grow and spread.
The finding, by US researchers, could lead to drugs precisely targeted
to stop
this process in its tracks.
Mice genetically altered to produce larger quantities of a chemical
called COX-2 had faster-growing and spreading breast cancers.
Drugs that "inhibit" COX-2 - from the aspirin family - could have a
role fighting breast cancer, say experts.
The research was carried out at the University of Connecticut, and
published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences.
One of the key factors that allows a tumour to grow is whether it has
sufficient blood supply to sup****t its new size.
Many tumours can harness chemical pathways that prompt the body to
create a web of new blood vessels around the cancer, a process called
angiogenesis.
COX-2, and another chemical linked to it, called prostaglandin E2
(PGE2), are already under suspicion for having a role in this
process.
Altered mouse
If this role is proven, there are already drugs available which could
interfere with this process, and perhaps improve the chances of
patients with breast cancer, which has become the most common cancer
in women in the UK.
Dr Timothy Hla, who led the study, created a genetically modified
mouse which produced more COX-2 in its breast tissue - in theory
producing the perfect environment for a breast tumour to create the
necessary blood vessels to allow growth.
This was what they found - blood vessel density increased prior to
visible tumour growth in the mouse breast tissue, and during
progression, the density of the blood vessels increased at an
exponential way.
When drugs called COX-2 inhibitors - designed to interfere with the
workings of this chemical - were added to the mix, tumour growth
slowed and blood vessel density decreased, pointing again to the role
of COX-2 in the process.
Household medicines
Several commonplace household drugs have been shown to have an
inhibitory effect on COX-2 - including aspirin and ibroprofen - which
in theory could be used to prevent or hold back breast tumours.
However, doctors say they could create a more specific drug which
avoids some of the dangerous side-effects of long-term painkiller
use.
Dr Henry Jabbour, from the MRC Human Reproductive Sciences Unit in
Edinburgh, is interested in the potential of these drugs to tackle a
variety of cancers.
He said: "There have already been trials in colon cancer, but it
possible they could be effective in other cancer types.
"New studies would be needed to see if this is the case."
Who loves ya.
Tom
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Man Is A Herbivore!
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DEAD PEOPLE WALKING
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