Tag Archives: research

Extra Gene Leads to Long Cancer-free and Fat-free Lives in Mice

Posted on March 19, 2012 by | 1 comment

Mouse (Photo by Ernst Vikne on www.flickr.com)

Can you imagine a world in which cancer and obesity can be prevented by a single gene? It may sound too good to be true, but researchers at the Spanish National Cancer Research Center (CNIO) in Spain have found such a gene. In fact, not only does this particular gene prevent cancer and obesity, it also increases longevity!

The gene in question is known as the ‘Pten’ gene, a tumor-suppressing gene that is often lost in humans affected with cancer.

“Tumor suppressors are actually genes that have been used by evolution to protect us from all kinds of abnormalities,” explains Manuel Serrano, a researcher who worked on this study.

With an extra copy of the Pten gene, mice appeared to be immune to cancer. In addition, these mice were also found to have less body fat; in fact, the Pten gene led to slimmer mice despite an increase in appetite.

Difference in liver fat of a mouse with the Pten gene and without. (Source: Researchers' own materials)

The decreased body fat can be explained by the fact that most tumor-suppressing genes increase the activity and production of brown fat. Brown fat is a special type of fat that burns energy rather than storing it. As people age, the amount of brown fat in their tissues tends to decrease and be replaced by the more familiar—and much-disliked—white fat. In the case of the mice with the extra Pten gene, the overactive brown fat led to their burning more calories.

Brown fat can also explain the observed increase in longevity, as it has been shown to have the beneficial effect of protecting against metabolic damage commonly associated with aging. Metabolism refers to the chemical reactions that take place in our body in order to maintain life. Numerous studies exist that show a correlation between the rate at which these metabolic processes occur and the longevity of organisms.

This study may have been performed on mice, but the results are very promising for humans as well. The amazing effects of the Pten gene indicate that it may be possible to develop a drug for humans that offers the same benefits.
References:
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1890175,00.html
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-03/cp-weg022912.php
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120306131252.htm

 

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Posted in Biological Sciences, Issues in Science, Science Communication, Science in the News

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Disrupted Biological Clocks Shown to Cause Neurodegeneration and Early Death

Posted on February 27, 2012 by | 3 comments

Researchers at Oregon State University have managed to show that disruptions to the biological clock can directly lead to neurodegeneration— the progressive loss of nerve cells—and early death. These findings are significant, as they represent a step forward in the extensive study of circadian rhythms, which are the basis of our internal clock.

The sleep cycle is affected by the biological clock. (Source: 'marcinbunsch' on flickr.com)

Circadian rhythms coordinate many of our biological processes, from eating and sleeping to molecular processes such as hormonal secretions. Over millions of years, animals’ internal ‘clocks’ have been fine-tuned to align very closely with the 24-hour periodicity of Earth’s rotation—that is, our biological clocks are synced with the length of the 24-hour day that we know. These internal rhythms are what cause us to eat at regular intervals throughout the day, and what cause us to sleep at night and wake in the morning. In other words, our biological clocks are responsible for our internal synchronization.

Many studies have been conducted on the effect these circadian rhythms have on animal health. Disruptions to the biological clock have previously been linked with neurodegeneration; however, it was not apparent whether these disruptions were the cause or the result of the neurodegeneration. The study at Oregon State University is the first to demonstrate that disruptions to the biological clock are, in fact, a cause of neurodegeneration and early death.

Fruit Fly (Drosophila melanogaster). (Source: 'Oregon State University' on flickr.com)

The researchers conducted the study on fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster), which have been found to share many similarities with humans. The flies used in the study were genetically modified to show signs of neurodegeneration. In order to assess the effect of disruptions to the internal clock, some of these flies were further modified to have interrupted circadian rhythms.

It was found that the flies with disrupted internal clocks had a 32 to 50 percent shorter lifespan than those without the internal disruption. In addition, these flies also exhibited accelerated neurogeneration—as evidenced by signs of holes in the brain—along with decreased climbing ability.

Holes forming in fruit fly brain. (Source: 'Oregon State University' on flickr.com)

These results clearly show the importance of the biological clock in the maintenance of animal health and functioning. Through this study, a greater understanding of circadian rhythms and their effects on organisms has been achieved.

 

 

 

References:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120110140225.htm

http://oregonstate.edu/ua/ncs/archives/2012/jan/disruption-biological-clocks-causes-neurodegeneration-early-death

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Posted in Biological Sciences, Issues in Science, Science in the News

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Go exercise!…to be smarter?

Posted on January 23, 2012 by | 11 comments

Image from Men's Health - "How to lace your running shoe"

Want to improve your memory and study more efficiently? Then drop your pen and lace up your sneakers! Recent studies show that exercising not only builds muscles, but it also boosts memory.

Researchers from University of Dublin  investigated the correlation between exercise and memory where they asked group of sedentary students to take part in a simple memory test. After the initial baseline test,  half of the students went through vigorous exercise and the other half just sat quietly. Then both groups took the test again. (specific procedures can be found in Physiology & Behavior Journal). Remarkably,  the exercised students performed significantly better on the memory test scores (compared to their baseline test), while the students who had rested showed no improvement.

Image of BDNF - from Wikipedia provided by Protein Data Bank

Interestingly, the researchers have collected the students’ blood samples throughout the experiment to give a biological explanation to their results. They have found that the students had significantly higher levels of a protein called  brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF, immediately after the strenuous activity, whereas the student who had sat quietly showed no change in BDNF levels. Thus these finding suggest that increases in BDNF prompted by exercise may play a particular role in improving our ability to memorize and recall on something.

Image of Hippocampus - from Wikipedia by user Looei496

In supporting this idea, other studies also reached similar conclusion even with animals. In one particular experiment from Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (Federal University of Santa Catarina), Brazil, the researchers made sedentary elderly rats ran for 4-6 minutes, 4-5 days per week for five weeks (specific procedures can be found in Mechanisms of Ageing and Development Journal). This physical activity seemed to ignite some biochemical process in the memory center (hippocampus) of their brains, resulting in increased production of BDNF molecules there. As a result, these exercised elderly rats performed as well as much younger rats on rodent memory tests.

Although more needs to be studied on this topic and BDNF, these studies do indicate that exercising does help in improving memorization. So it would be a good idea to go for a walk or get any sort of physical activity in between study breaks, not only to get some fresh air, but to get some BDNF in our brains to study more efficiently. This may sound a bit bizarre but, we should go exercise to become smarter! It’s just too bad that I cannot make “studying” as an excuse for not getting any exercise anymore.

References:

Aerobic exercise improves hippocampal function and increases BDNF in the serum of yong adult male:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0031938411003088

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain-derived_neurotrophic_factor

Short bouts of mild-intensity physical exercise improve spatial learning and memory in aging rats: Involvement of hippocampal plasticity via AKT, CREB and BDNF signaling:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0047637411001564

Hippocampus:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocampus

 

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Posted in Biological Sciences

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A cure for the common…hangover?

Posted on January 16, 2012 by | 3 comments
        

Image from Flickr: silent(e)

Recent scientific investigations  have led to the findings of an ancient Chinese herb that is able to remove the painful effects that are known to follow the consumption of alcohol; a college student’s dream!  Yes, this chinese extract from the raisin tree Hovenia dulcis, has the sobering effects on a person after excessive drinking, can relieve the symptoms of a hangover and also may provide a lifetime cure for those suffering from alcoholism.   
 

Hovenia dulcis, Japanese Raisin Tree ; this tree may be the cure to problems involving alcohol. (Image on Flickr by Tie Guy II)

For years, many Chinese people have been  using this extract in their tea to reduce any uncomfort that is associated with a hangover. The compound from the ancient raisin tree that has been found as the source of the cure, is Dihydromyricetin (DHM). It has been recently studied  by Dr. Jing Liang of the University of California on lab rats (as mentioned in NewScientist).  The results included a quicker recovery from intoxication on the rats when they were given alcohol containing DHM (only 5 minute recovery time!), versus alcohol by itself (around  a 70 minute recovery time).  Liang also found through her research, that the addiction for rats that were constantly consuming alcohol began to decrease over time after given small doses of DHM weekly.  

 For the Future
The goal of this research, is ultimately to gain the ability to have it eventually be tested on humans.  Once this is achieved, the affects could be ground-breaking. As more alcoholics are “sobering-up”, they will more likely be able to keep a job and increase the economy.  It is also predicted that the safety of living may increase in regards to drunk driving.  With the help of this “new drug”, one could essentially have an evening of drinks and fun, and still be able to drive home after without being a drunken liability to themselves and others on the road.

But…
Ideally, all of the above outcomes would be true and the drug would be perfect.  However, humans as a race are unpredictable.  Personally, I do not agree that the drug will cure many people, and instead might cause people to drink more.  If there was no consequence of drinking (a hangover etc) then it would just be more appealing.  Other scientists like Marcus Heilig have also voiced their concern regarding the bad outcomes that may occur from use of the drug and whether or not it would be beneficial or harmful to the population. 

Image from Flickr by sfllaw

Dr Liang is on the path to something that could change the lives of many people.  With no side effects currently being seen on their studies thus far, let’s hope she gets approval to begin testing on humans in the near future.

 

 

References:

NewScientist article:
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn21337-chinese-tree-extract-stops-rats-getting-drunk.html

Hovenia Duclis Journal:
https://www.thieme-connect.com/ejournals/pdf/plantamedica/doi/10.1055/s-0030-1249776.pdf

Link to Dr. Marcus Heilig:
http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/RESEARCHINFORMATION/INTRAMURALRESEARCH/ABOUTDICBR/LCTS/Pages/Chief.aspx

Dihydromyricetin blog:
http://alcoholreports.blogspot.com/2012/01/dihydromyricetin-as-novel-anti-alcohol.html

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