Your current location:HOME >world >Molecular identified as key to suppress inflammation in brain 正文
TIME:2024-05-21 16:40:37 Source: Internet compilationEdit:world
Video PlayerCloseSAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- New research at the University of California, S
Video PlayerClose
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- New research at the University of California, San Francisco, or UCSF, has discovered a molecular key to the ketogenic diet's apparent effects on patients with epilepsy and other neurological illnesses.
The diet, namely extreme low-carbohydrate, high-fat regimen, may work by lowering inflammation in the brain.
"It's a key issue in the field - how to suppress inflammation in brain after injury," said Raymond Swanson, a professor of neurology at UCSF and senior author of the new study published online in the journal Nature Communications.
Swanson and his colleagues found the previously undiscovered mechanism by which a low carbohydrate diet reduces inflammation in the brain, and identified a pivotal protein that links the diet to inflammatory genes, which, if blocked, could mirror the anti-inflammatory effects of ketogenic diets, which are known to change the way the body uses energy.
In response to the shortage of carb-derived sugars such as glucose, the body begins breaking down fat into ketones and ketoacids, which it can use as alternative fuels.
In rodents, ketogenic diets are known to reduce inflammation, improve outcomes after brain injury and extend lifespan. However, these benefits are less well-established in humans because of the difficulty in maintaining a ketogenic state. In addition, it has been difficult to tease out the molecular nuts and bolts by which these diets influence the immune system.
In the new study, the researchers used a small molecule called 2-deoxyglucose, or 2DG, to block glucose metabolism and produce a ketogenic state in rats and controlled laboratory cell lines, leading to the discovery that 2DG could bring inflammation levels down to almost control levels. They further found that reduced glucose metabolism lowered a key barometer of energy metabolism, namely the NADH/NAD+ ratio, which in turn activated a protein called CtBP that acts to suppress activity of inflammatory genes.
In an experiment, the researchers designed a drug-like peptide molecule that blocks the ability of CtBP to enter its inactive state, forcing the protein to constantly block inflammatory gene activity and mimicking the effect of a ketogenic state.
Peptides, which are small proteins, don't work well as drugs because they are unstable, expensive, and people make antibodies against them. But other molecules that act the same way as the peptide could provide ketogenic benefits without requiring extreme dietary changes, Swanson was quoted as saying in a news release.
The findings may open the door for new therapies that could reduce brain inflammation following stroke and brain trauma by mimicking the beneficial effects of an extreme low-carb diet, and also provide a way of interfering with the relationship between the extra glucose in patients with diabetes and this inflammatory response.
Ohio judge to rule Monday on whether the state’s abortion ban stands2024-05-21 16:25
China's road logistics price index up2024-05-21 16:20
Country star Morgan Wallen is seen for the FIRST time since his arrest as he steps out with ex2024-05-21 16:16
China further streamlines mobile payments for foreigners2024-05-21 16:00
Mystery artist who erected signs comparing pothole2024-05-21 15:43
Innovative farming fuels efficiency for 'new farmers' in E China's Jiangxi2024-05-21 15:12
Faith Ringgold, pioneering Black quilt artist and author, dies at 932024-05-21 15:01
Outbound tourism growth, inbound recovery projected2024-05-21 14:42
Yu Darvish extends scoreless innings streak to 25 in Padres' 92024-05-21 14:33
HK textbooks on territorial sovereignty should meet national standards: education association chief2024-05-21 14:08
Revealed: Brit tourist, 19, subjected to sex attack in Majorca 'was gang2024-05-21 16:25
Australian freshwater crayfish bring fresh vitality to rural Xinjiang2024-05-21 16:10
China renews highest alert for cold wave2024-05-21 15:59
China's Tianjin launches 1st roadway for intelligent connected vehicles2024-05-21 15:48
Children are evacuated from school 'during an exam' after threat made via email2024-05-21 15:05
Father's DIY 'excavator' toy delights daughter and wins hearts online2024-05-21 14:50
China's Hong Kong signs tax pact with Croatia2024-05-21 14:33
Village doctors safeguard health in China's mountainous Guizhou2024-05-21 14:16
French sports minister calls for sanctions after Monaco player tapes over anti2024-05-21 14:14
Innovative farming fuels efficiency for 'new farmers' in E China's Jiangxi2024-05-21 14:12