New gel offers controlled drug delivery
Self-assembling hydrogel could help treat cancer and diabetes, among other diseases
Anne Trafton, News Office
MIT researchers have demonstrated that a gel composed of small, woven protein fragments can successfully carry and release proteins of different sizes, potentially enabling delivery of drugs such as insulin and trastuzumab (Herceptin).
VIAGRA’S OTHER TALENTS: TO HELP A ‘SIGNALING’ PROTEIN SHIELD THE HEART FROM HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE DAMAGE
Johns Hopkins and other researchers report what is believed to be the first direct evidence in lab animals that the erectile dysfunction drug sildenafil amplifies the effects of a heart-protective protein.
New Target for Obesity-Related
Insulin Resistance, Type 2 Diabetes
By Debra Kain
Building on mounting evidence that implicates infection-fighting cells found in obese fat tissue in the growing problem of insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes, researchers at the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine have identified a particular subset of cells that are linked to obesity-associated insulin resistance, and that offer a promising new target for the treatment of diabetes. They showed that depletion of these cells, called CD11c-positive, in obese mice resulted in a reversal of obesity-associated insulin resistance.
Oral Vitamin D May Help
Prevent Some Skin Infections
By Debra Kain
A study led by researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine suggests that use of oral Vitamin D supplements bolsters production of a protective chemical normally found in the skin, and may help prevent skin infections that are a common result of atopic dermatitis, the most common form of eczema.
Existing Anti-Obesity Drugs May Be Effective Against Flu, Hepatitis and HIV
Viruses dramatically increase cellular metabolism, and existing anti-obesity drugs may represent a new way to block these metabolic changes and inhibit viral infection, according to a study published today in the journal Nature Biotechnology.
Newer Antipsychotics No Better Than Older Drug in Treating Child and Adolescent Schizophrenia
Two newer atypical antipsychotic medications were no more effective than an older conventional antipsychotic in treating child and adolescent schizophrenia [http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/schizophrenia/index.shtml] and may lead to more metabolic side effects, according to a new study funded by the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). The study was published online September 15, 2008, in the American Journal of Psychiatry.
Scripps Research Study Topples the One Drug-One Disease Paradigm for Combating Protein-Folding Diseases
Findings May Lead To A Novel Therapeutic For Multiple Diseases
LA JOLLA , CA, September 9, 2008—Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have discovered that a single small molecule may be effective in treating multiple protein-folding diseases, breaking the one drug-one disease approach that has guided the pharmaceutical and biotechnological industries for so many years.
New approach, old drug show promise against hepatitis C, Stanford research shows
By DAVID ORENSTEIN
STANFORD, Calif. — The fight against the liver disease hepatitis C has been at something of an impasse for years, with more than 150 million people currently infected, and traditional antiviral treatments causing nasty side effects and often falling short of a cure. Using a novel technique, medical and engineering researchers at Stanford University have discovered a vulnerable step in the virus’ reproduction process that in lab testing could be effectively targeted with an obsolete antihistamine.
ANN ARBOR, Michigan – Es posible que las mujeres con depresión tengan más probabilidades que los hombres de alivio con un fármaco contra la depresión que es barato y de uso común, según revela un estudio nacional. Sin embargo, muchos miembros de uno y otro sexo pueden constatar que les ayuda a aliviar los síntomas de la depresión.
Caltech Engineers Build Mini Drug-Producing Biofactories in Yeast
PASADENA, Calif.-- Researchers at the California Institute of Technology have developed a novel way to churn out large quantities of drugs, including antiplaque toothpaste additives, antibiotics, nicotine, and even morphine, using mini biofactories--in yeast.
Why the AIDS drug abacavir increases the risk of heart attack
In spring 2008, a team of international researchers headed by the Copenhagen HIV Program from the University of Copenhagen, made the surprising discovery that the HIV drug abacavir almost doubles the risk of heart attack. At the time, the biological explanation remained unclear, and the producers of abacavir thus dismissed the findings. The Danish-led research team has now found a possible explanation and presented their new research findings at the world’s largest AIDS conference in Mexico. The researchers have discovered that abacavir makes arteriosclerotic coronary vessels unstable, which increases the risk of heart attack.
Aspirin, acid blocker a-day keeps GI bleeding at bay
U-M study finds proton pump inhibitors are cost-effective way to prevent upper GI bleeding in patients who regularly take aspirin to prevent cardiac events
ANN ARBOR, Mich.— For patients with clogged heart arteries who take long-term, low-dose aspirin to prevent a cardiac event, adding a stomach acid-blocking drug to their daily routine has been shown to reduce their risk for upper gastrointestinal bleeding – an infrequent, but serious side-effect of regular aspirin use.
Stanford study finds HIV drug can persist into mother's milk, increasing risk to them and their babies
By RUTHANN RICHTER
STANFORD, Calif. — A drug commonly used in the developing world to prevent transmission of HIV from mother to child persists in the breast milk and blood of the mothers, putting them and their babies at risk for developing drug-resistant strains of the virus, according to researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine.
RESEARCHERS FIND USE OF ANGIOTENSIN RECEPTOR BLOCKERS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH LOWER INCIDENCE, PROGRESSION OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
Boston, MA—Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have, for the first time, found that angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)—a particular class of anti-hypertensive medicines—are associated with a striking decrease in the occurrence and progression of dementia. Data from this study will be presented this weekend (July 27) at the 2008 International Conference on Alzheimer’s disease in Chicago.
Class of Antibiotics Can Enhance Gene-silencing Tool
A way to turn off one gene at a time has earned acceptance in biology laboratories over the last decade. Doctors envision the technique, called RNA interference, as a tool to treat a variety of diseases if it can be adapted to humans.
