Thursday, June 3, 2010

Synthetic peptide may regenerate brain tissue in stroke victims

A synthetic version of a naturally occurring peptide promoted the   creation of new blood vessels and repaired damaged nerve cells in lab animals, according to researchers lead by Dr. Daniel Morris Sr.Staff Physician at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.

"Neurorestorative therapy is the next frontier in the treatment of stroke." claims Dr. Daniel Morris...

As per the claim by the researchers,  addition of  the synthetic peptide Thymosin beta 4 (structure : acetate of Thymosin beta 4 : courtesy : ChemBlink) to a group of drug treatments including statins (used for neurorestorative therapy to activate repair mechanisms) repaired and regenerated stroke-injured brain tissue.

Interestingly, this  research follows an earlier study reported by the same team in March, which found that Thymosin beta 4 improved neurological function after stroke in adult rats by increasing the formation of protective myelin around nerve fibers in brain cells.

In the latest study, adult rats were dosed with Thymosin beta 4 one day after they were subjected to a blockage in the cerebral artery, then given four more doses, once every three days. Rats treated only with saline were used as a control group. After eight weeks, the Thymosin beta 4 group showed significant overall improvement compared to the control group.

The researchers concluded that the peptide improved blood vessel density as well as promoted a certain type of immature brain cells called oligodendrocyte progenitor cells to differentiate into mature oligodendrocytes, which produces myelin to protect axons in nerve cells.

These experiments conclude that the peptide repairs and regenerates stroke-injured brain tissue. and as per the claim by the researchers,  the results of the first study also were similar to other research using the peptide to regenerate damaged heart, corneal tissue and wound repair...

Ref : http://www.henryfordhealth.org/body.cfm?id=46335&action=detail&ref=1107

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