Scientists from the University of Nebraska (USA) have successfully tested a new drug against Parkinson's disease in mice, which protects the dopamine-producing cells of the nervous system, according to Pannochka, an Internet publication for girls and women from 14 to 35 years old.. net Dr. Howard Gendelman, Professor of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, reported the achievement in a new issue of The Journal of Neuroscience.

“The results are amazing. We have built a new bridge between the immune system and nerve cells to protect against Parkinson's disease, ”wrote study co-author Dr. Scott Shandler, founder of Longevity Biotech..

Scientists say that the idea of \u200b\u200bcreating a drug that would protect nerve cells from attack by the immune system was born 10 years ago, immediately after the discovery of immune cells involved in the development of Parkinson's disease..

We are talking about an experimental drug with the number LBT-3627 manufactured by Longevity Biotech, which is able to correct the functions of the immune system..

Mass death of dopamine-producing cells is a leading link in the development of Parkinson's disease. Dopamine helps transmit the signals the brain needs to control many functions, including movement. Losing dopamine-producing cells, the brain loses the ability to control speech, handwriting, gait, and as a result, a person loses independence.

The role of immune cells in this disease is great: the death of dopamine-producing cells is accompanied by infiltration of T-lymphocytes and inflammatory changes in the microglia.. Scientists say the immune system can both protect and destroy our brains.

Experimental drug LBT-3627 is an analogue of the natural anti-inflammatory molecule VIP, which is effective in many diseases. It would be, if not for two small "

The first problem with VIP-based drugs is that they break down very quickly in the body, not having time to do their job.. The second problem is that there are two types of receptors (VPAC1 and VPAC2), which are associated with completely different pharmacological effects..

The LBT-3627 molecule solves both VIP problems: it stays in the body much longer and has a high affinity for VPAC2-type receptors. What's more, LBT-3627 could be taken orally in pill form, while VIP had to be administered parenterally.

In a recent study in mice, LBT-3627 protected the dopamine-producing cells of mice by 80% and had a positive effect on microglial cells.. The authors say that after a series of additional tests, it will be possible to begin clinical trials of LBT-3627 in humans. This should happen in 2017.

“The key finding of our study is that the experimental drug LBT-3627 is able to protect dopamine-producing neurons from attack by the immune system.. The drug stops the neurotoxic immune response and slows down the progression of the disease, ”writes Professor Gendelman..

In the meantime, we recall that there are about 10 million people with Parkinson's disease in the world, but medicine still cannot defeat this disease and help them..

medbe. ru.