In liver disease, the balance between regeneration of healthy tissue and scar formation (or fibrosis) is disrupted. Hepatocyte regeneration gives way to fibrosis, leading to cirrhosis and cancer. The mechanisms that control this balance are poorly characterized; a better understanding may lead to better management strategies for chronic liver disease. Now, a study led byContinueContinue reading “Serotonin’s new role in the liver”
Category Archives: research news
Shielding mice from radiation toxicity
Exposure to radiation harms the body by damaging rapidly dividing cells, including those in the intestine, allowing potentially pathogenic bacteria to escape into the bloodstream and cause infection. Antibiotics, such as fluoroquinolone, are therefore frequently used as a treatment for radiation exposure. Radiation also depletes a protein called bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI), which normally acts toContinueContinue reading “Shielding mice from radiation toxicity”
Synapse dysfunction linked to mental illness
Although mental illnesses are primarily considered human disorders, investigators have attempted to model certain aspects of these disorders in animals to facilitate study of the underlying mechanisms. In such studies, researchers have noted that gene mutations can elicit certain abnormal behaviors in rodents that are very similar to isolated symptoms of mental illness in humans.ContinueContinue reading “Synapse dysfunction linked to mental illness”
Snake venom points out a new pain pathway
Natural toxins, such as snake venom, are used by various organisms for protection against potential predation. These toxins work by creating irritation, disease or pain in predators. Their mechanisms of action are of interest to researchers because they may elucidate new or poorly understood biological processes, such as those involved in pain sensation, nerve activationContinueContinue reading “Snake venom points out a new pain pathway”
Disrupting bacterial binding to treat infections
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) present a substantial health problem for women, particularly when infections are chronic, recurrent or recalcitrant because of pathogenic mechanisms or antibiotic resistance. In the US, about 15 million women suffer from UTIs each year; 20–40% of women experience recurring infections. Healthcare costs associated with UTIs exceed $2.5 billion per year inContinueContinue reading “Disrupting bacterial binding to treat infections”
Cannabinoids prevent post-traumatic stress
Previous work by Eti Ganon-Elazar and Irit Akirav (University of Haifa, Israel) suggested that cannabinoids might have a role in treating stress and anxiety disorders. Recently, the two researchers specifically examined post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), an anxiety disorder whose hallmark symptoms include an exaggerated acoustic startle reflex and enhanced negative feedback on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.ContinueContinue reading “Cannabinoids prevent post-traumatic stress”
Exercise alone relieves arthritis symptoms
The links between diet, obesity, exercise and arthritis have been the focus of much research attention, partly because arthritis is estimated to affect as many as 20% of adults in the US. One form of arthritis, called osteoarthritis, is characterized by inflammation, joint degeneration and development of osteophytes (bony outgrowths around joints), resulting in pain.ContinueContinue reading “Exercise alone relieves arthritis symptoms”
Sirtuins under scrutiny
The protein called silent information regulator 2 (Sir2) was first discovered in budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It belongs to a highly conserved family of proteins christened sirtuins, which are found in almost all organisms and are involved in responses to stressors, such as heat and starvation. In 1999, Sir2 was reported to increase lifespan inContinueContinue reading “Sirtuins under scrutiny”
Passive spatial learning in rats
Results of a new study by scientists at Ruhr University Bochum (Germany) suggest that passive viewing of spatial information (such as on television or computer screens) can activate learning mechanisms and may interfere with consolidation of information learned via active exploration. Anne Kemp and Denise Manahan-Vaughan, who carried out the study, speculate that increasing useContinueContinue reading “Passive spatial learning in rats”
Easing epilepsy associated with glioma
People with primary brain tumors called gliomas frequently suffer from epileptic seizures whose underlying cause is poorly understood. A research team from University of Alabama at Birmingham led by Harald Sontheimer sought to investigate the cause by recapitulating the seizures in female CB17 severe combined immunodeficient mice. Lab Anim. (NY) 40, 332 (2011). view fullContinueContinue reading “Easing epilepsy associated with glioma”
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