Day: November 17, 2020

Categories : AddictionTags :

Il-10 Found to be Involved in Alcoholism

On By ModernMedia

Researchers have discovered that the anti-inflammatory IL-10 plays a direct role in alcoholism. Neurological research into addiction and alcohol has focused on the amygdala, which plays a key role in drives, emotions and behaviours.

Alcoholism is a growing problem in need of effective treatment. Interleukin 10 (IL-10) is an immune protein that has strong anti-inflammatory properties and is known to protect the brain from inflammation resulting from disease or injury.

In the brains of mice which chronically used alcohol, the amount of IL-10 was lowered in the amygdala and did not correctly signal neurons, and so was partly responsible for alcohol consumption behaviours. This was despite the overall higher level of IL-10 throughout the brains of chronic alcohol using mice.

“We found that chronic alcohol exposure compromises brain immune cells, which are important for maintaining healthy neurons,” said first author of the study Reesha Patel, PhD. “The resulting damage fuels anxiety and alcohol drinking that may lead to alcohol use disorder.”

The researchers counteracted the decrease of IL-10 amounts and signalling in mice, and the mice’s excessive alcohol use declined, and a decrease in anxiety was also noted.

Marisa Roberto, PhD, a professor in Scripps Research’s Department of Molecular Medicine, led the research. She said, “We’ve shown that inflammatory immune responses in the brain are very much at play in the development and maintenance of alcohol use disorder. But perhaps more importantly, we provided a new framework for therapeutic intervention, pointing to anti-inflammatory mechanisms.”

Source: Medical Xpress

Categories : Diseases, Syndromes and ConditionsTags :

Human Transmission in 2019 Outbreak of Deadly Chapare Virus

On By ModernMedia

In 2019, five people were infected and three died near the Bolivian capital La Paz by the Chapare virus. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) researchers detailed new clues to the mysterious disease that have recently been uncovered.

The Chapare virus is an arenavirus, like the deadly Lassa virus which, in West Africa, causes thousands of deaths every year. Similar to the Ebola virus, arenaviruses can produce a haemorrhagic fever, causing multiple organ damage. 

The researchers identified human transmission from patients to healthcare workers, and believe that blood, semen and other bodily fluids can transmit the disease.
Caitlin Cossaboom, DVM, PhD, MPH, an epidemiologist with the CDC’s Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, said, “Our work confirmed that a young medical resident, an ambulance medic and a gastroenterologist all contracted the virus after encounters with infected patients–and two of these healthcare workers later died. We now believe many bodily fluids can potentially carry the virus.”

Viral DNA was found in the semen of one the survivors, raising the prospect of sexual transmission. Viral DNA was also found in rodents in the area, although the researchers cautioned that it did not necessarily represent a source. 

“The genome sequence of the RNA we isolated in rodent specimens matches quite well with what we have seen in human cases,” Cassaboom said.

By pooling resources, researchers were able to make rapid headway in identifying the disease. Gene sequencing technology quickly confirmed the virus as a match for the original 2004 outbreak.

Source: Eureka Alert

Categories : Diseases, Syndromes and ConditionsTags :

Major Cardiovascular Events Cut by Use of Polypills

On By ModernMedia

Results presented in a late-breaking clinical trial presentation at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2020 reported that large randomised trial demonstrated that a simple polypill (containing cholesterol and blood pressure control medication) could significantly reduce cardiovascular risk.

In the International Polycap Study (TIPS)-3, 5700 participants in 9 countries were given either the polypill, aspirin, the polypill plus aspirin or Vitamin D and monitored for five years for major cardiovascular events.

The polypill contained atenolol 100mg, ramipril 10mg, hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg, and simvastatin 40 mg.

The combination of polypill and aspirin reduced cardiovascular events by 31%, whilst aspirin alone had a 14% reduction and 21% with polypill alone.

Salim Yusuf, MD, BS, D Phil, co-author of the study said, “Aspirin should be prescribed with a polypill in primary prevention for patients at intermediate risk of heart disease. Our study results provide important data regarding the role of the polypill in preventing the development of heart disease.”

Source: News-Medical.Net

Categories : COVID Diseases, Syndromes and ConditionsTags :

Weight Link to COVID Risk Emphasised by CDC

On By ModernMedia

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US has included in its coronavirus risk warning people who are considered overweight (a BMI of 25 to 29.9, obese is above 30).

Dr Donald Hensrud, director of the Mayo Clinic Healthy Living Program, explained that obesity already is associated with several complications – diabetes, high blood pressure, dyslipidaemia and cardiovascular disease.

Dr Hensrud said, “Now COVID-19 comes along, and we’ve got all the issues we had before plus some additional ones. Obesity is associated with low-grade inflammation and an effect on our immune system. This affects our susceptibility to COVID-19. People who are obese are more likely to develop COVID-19 and complications from it, including dying, than people who aren’t obese. In addition, people with diabetes and some of the other complications from obesity are also at increased risk. So obesity and its complications independently take the risks of COVID-19 and elevate them significantly.”

Dr Hensrud said that he noted patients of his had put on weight during lockdown due to comfort eating and staying at home without any exercise. In order to reduce their risk, people should resolve to eat a healthy diet and engage in exercise, although he cautioned that losing more than 10% body weight in six months can impact the immune system.

Source: Medical Xpress