Active lifestyle facilitates recovery after spinal cord injury

In recent research, scientist have described the influence of an active lifestyle on the regenerative capacity of the peripheral nervous system, that is, the set of cranial and spinal nerves that control motor and sensory functions.

The research for the first time has identified a molecular pathway related to physical activity that stimulates nerve regeneration after a spinal cord injury. The study was carried out in mice and rats.
It was already known, by studies with rodents, the benefits for the brain of an active lifestyle, explained the lead author of the study.

Laboratory animals that live in enriched environments, with wheels for exercise, toys and the presence of other animals, show better performance in memory and orientation tests, have more neurogenesis in the hippocampus, and also more dendritic spines, the structures of neurons that allow the formation of synapses or contacts between neuronal cells. And now, this work shows that the peripheral nervous system also benefits from an active lifestyle, highlighted the Dr.

The finding explained why people who have led an 'active lifestyle' recover more after spinal cord injury than those with 'less active' lifestyles.

Although the work is still at an early stage, the findings open a ' realistic path' that tests the links between pre-existing active lifestyle and subsequent recovery from a spinal injury, and possibly paves the way for clinical trials in human patients, said researchers. 

Essentially, by increasing the activity of neurons that detect environmental atimuli, we have been able to promote the regenerative potential of the nerves after a spinal cord injury, explained the Dr. who was part of the study.

We have shown that environmental enrichment, how housing the mice in a larger cage than usual, with other mice, with more toys, tunnels, swings, wheels etc, increases the activity of the neurons. 
This enriched environment leads to changes in gene expression that cause the nerves to be more likely to regenerate, added the Dr.

In addition, the researchers identified a key molecule in this process called CREB-Binding Protein (CBP), a regulator of gene expression capable that alters the expression of several genes, and thus increases the ability to regenerate damaged nerves.

Each cell of the human body contains a long strand of DNA, about 2 meters long, with genetic information. To fit inside the cell nucleus this DNA is wound in proteins called histones, forming a kind of pearl necklace. In order for genes to be expressed, the collar must unwind partially and accurately at the right time. And it is at this point where the CBP protein intervenes.

The research team has been working with the CBP protein for a long time, and they have a mouse model that lacks this protein in specific neuronal types.

By putting the deficient animals in CBP in an enriched environment, we saw that they are not able to respond to these stimuli and there is no increase in the repair of injuries, explained the Dr. Thanks to this animal model, it was clear that CBP is a key molecule, capable of becoming a therapeutic target to increase regeneration after spinal cord injury.

In tests with mice and rats, administering a compound that increases the activity of the CBP protein six hours after the injury of the column, and subsequently, once a week promoted the regeneration of the damaged nerve fibres.

After the injury and treatment with the drug, the rats, which otherwise could not walk correctly, recovered significant mobility in their hind legs, compared to the control animals, without treatment.

Although this treatment may not be fat from being tested in the clinic, more studies are needed to show that the drug is safe in humans. Once verified, it could potentially be combined with neuro-rehabilitation to treat people who have suffered a spinal cord injury.

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The Fruits that Help Lung Damage Due To Smoking

HEALING properties found in fresh apples and tomatoes can slow down natural ageing of the lungs and even repair damage caused by smoking, research claims.

 

Scientists say the fruits, particularly apples, are crammed with wonder chemicals that provide a protective effect.

 Having at least two tomatoes or three pieces of fruit as part of the recommended five-a-day provides the biggest benefit.

Experts found the natural decline in lung function over a 10-year period was slower among former smokers with a diet packed with nature’s goodness.
 

The protective effect was only observed in fresh fruit and vegetables and not processed foods like sauces.

 There was also a slower decline in lung function among all adults, including those who had never or had stopped smoking, with the highest tomato consumption.

A Professor said: “This study shows that diet might help repair lung damage in people who have stopped smoking.

"It also suggests that a diet rich in fruits can slow down the lung’s natural ageing process even if you have never smoked.”

Researchers, assessed the diet and lung function of more than 650 adults in 2002. A decade later tests were repeated on the same group from different countries.
 

Diet and overall nutritional intake was assessed from questionnaires while participants also underwent spirometry, a procedure that measures the capacity of lungs to take in oxygen.

The study controlled factors such as age, height, sex, body mass, physical activity and total energy intake. Results among former smokers suggested nutrients in tomatoes and fruits help repair damage to their lungs.

A Prof said: “Lung function starts to decline at around age 30 at variable speed depending on the general and specific health of individuals.
 

“Our study suggests that eating more fruits on a regular basis can help attenuate the decline as people age and might even help repair damage caused by smoking.

“Diet could become one way of combating rising diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], all of which are made worse by smoking, around the world.”

An estimated more than a million people live with COPD making it the second most common lung disease in the world after asthma.

COPD is a group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties including emphysema, damage to the air sacs in the lungs and chronic bronchitis, the long-term inflammation of the airways.
 

Previous research has suggested apples, which are a rich source of vitamin C and K, magnesium, potassium and fibre, can slash the risk of an early death by more than a third.

They contain health-boosting flavanoids, which are believed to reduce the risk of killer conditions like cancer.

The fruit is thought to be good for heart health with its potent mix of fibre and polyphenols linked to reductions in the level of so-called “bad” cholesterol.
 

Apples and green tomatoes also possess natural chemicals that help halt the march of time.

Ursolic acid is found in the fruit’s waxy outer layer while tomatidine comes from the skins and leaves of green tomatoes. Both are thought to stop muscle wastage.
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Why heart failure is not as life-threatening as a heart attack

Heart failure may be a serious health hazard but not life-threatening like a heart attack, health experts say.

"Heart failure refers to the heart's inability to circulate blood through the body. Blood flow is slower than normal, which compromises the blood flow to the vital organs of the body like kidneys, liver and brain, leading to the malfunction of these organs," Subhash Chandra, Chairman, Cardiology, BLK Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi, told IANS.

Heart failure is not similar to a heart attack and it is important for people to understand the difference, the experts said.

"Heart failure refers to the condition wherein the blood pumping capacity of the heart is reduced. Heart attack is secondary to blocked coronary circulation. Blood supply to muscles of heart is cut or drastically reduced," Salil Shirodkar, Interventional Cardiologist at Mumbai's Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital, told IANS.

According to the experts, two types of heart dysfunctions can lead to heart failure -- systolic heart failure and diastolic failure.

Systolic heart failure is the most common cause of heart failure and occurs when the heart is weak and enlarged and the muscle of the left ventricle loses some of its ability to contract or shorten, whereas diastolic failure is when the muscle becomes stiff and loses some of its ability to relax.

As a result, the affected chamber has trouble filling with blood during the rest period that occurs after each heartbeat.

Heart failure is caused by many conditions that damage the heart muscle, including coronary artery disease (CAD), heart attack, cardiomyopathy -- disease of a heart muscle.

"The main causes of heart failure are blockages in the blood vessels supplying blood to the heart leading to heart attacks, weakness of the heart muscles either because of unknown reasons or because of some infection, drugs, diabetes, etc.; high blood pressure  is also one of the main causes of heart failure," Vishal Rastogi, Head of Department, Heart Failure Clinic, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, told IANS.



Heart failure can also occur with heart defects present at birth or congenital heart defects.

"Children with congenital heart defects often have slower growth and development and they may be smaller than other children of the same age. They may also have life-long problems with learning difficulties," Shantala Vadeyar, Group Medical Director, Department of Fetal and Maternal Medicine, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Mumbai, told IANS.

Early symptoms of heart failure are fatigue and shortness of breath. These affect daily activities such as walking, climbing stairs or carrying groceries.

The warning signs associated with heart failure includes acute shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing, accumulation of excess fluid in body tissues, tiredness, fatigue, nausea, lack of appetite and an   elevated heart rate.

"Basically your heart tries to compensate for its lack of strength by beating more often to help deliver a sufficient amount of blood to your tissues and organs," Chandra explained.

However, heart failure can be prevented by having proper diet, daily exercise, swimming, jogging, adequate sleep, and minimising stress and tension.

Diabetic or hypertensive patients should be more careful; they should always take the medications as prescried by the doctor.

"As of now there's no known cure for heart failure, but there are steps that can be taken to prevent a weak heart from getting weaker," Chandra said.

"Controlling hypertension, regular medical follow-up with doctors, non-smoking and alcohol consumption in moderation and lifestyle modifications with an effective mix and match of diet, along with daily exercise, are the key to preventing heart failure," Shirodkar added.

For children with congenital heart defects, it is not all bad news, as some of these defects may be treatable.

"Many congenital heart defects (CHD) can also be treated and children can lead a normal life. It is important that CHD should be detected in the developing baby so that doctors can counsel parents to help them prepare for possible outcomes and surgical interventions," Vadeyar said.

Surgery may also sometimes prevent further damage to the heart and improve its functioning.

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Heart failure may be a serious health hazard but not life-threatening like a heart attack, health experts say.

"Heart failure refers to the heart's inability to circulate blood through the body. Blood flow is slower than normal, which compromises the blood flow to the vital organs of the body like kidneys, liver and brain, leading to the malfunction of these organs," Subhash Chandra, Chairman, Cardiology, BLK Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi, told IANS.

Heart failur ..

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'Internal clock' in skin stem cells protects against UV rays

Human skin stem cells possess an 'internal clock' which helps them switch on genes involved in UV protection during the day, scientists have found. The findings could pave the way for new strategies to prevent premature ageing and cancer in humans.

"Our study shows that human skin stem cells possess an internal clock that allows them to very accurately know the time of day and helps them know when it is best to perform the correct function," said study author.

"This is important because it seems that tissues need an accurate internal clock to remain healthy," he said.

A variety of cells in our body have internal clocks that help them perform certain functions depending on the time of day, and skin cells as well as some stem cells exhibit circadian behaviours.

The team previously found that animals lacking normal circadian rhythms in skin stem cells age prematurely, suggesting that these cyclical patterns can protect against cellular damage.

But until now, it has not been clear how circadian rhythms affect the functions of human skin stem cells.

They found that distinct sets of genes in human skin stem cells show peak activity at different times of day.

Genes involved in UV protection become most active during the daytime to guard these cells while they proliferate – that is, when they duplicate their DNA and are more susceptible to radiation-induced damage.

"We know that the clock is gradually disrupted in aged mice and humans, and we know that preventing stem cells from accurately knowing the time of the day reduces their regenerative capacity," he said.

"Our current efforts lie in trying to identify the causes underlying the disruption of the clock of human skin stem cells and hopefully find means to prevent or delay it," he said.

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