Birth control pill for men could become a reality

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

Other than vasectomy,  sexual abstinence or condoms that sometimes fail, there have been no birth control options for men. Researchers think they may have discovered  a compound that means a male contraceptive pill could become a reality. The news is good for women who have had the primary responsibility in the birth control arena. 

Researchers from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Baylor College of Medicine report in the  Aug. 17 issue of the journal Cell that they’ve used a compound called JQ1 in male mice to create a form of birth control that seems to have no ill effects.

”Our findings demonstrate that, when given to rodents, this compound produces a rapid and reversible decrease in sperm count and mobility with profound effects on fertility,” said Dana-Farber’s James Bradner, MD, the paper’s senior author in a press release.

J-Q1 was named for the lead chemist, Jun Qi, PhD, in the Bradner laboratory. The compound was originally developed to block a gene that causes cancer, called BRD4.

The researchers wanted to find out if JQ1 would have an effect on BRD4. Earlier research showed mice given the compound were infertile, leading the scientists to investigate the compound’s effect on male fertility.

It turns out that J-Q1 interferes with sperm production and quality, making the compound a possible option as a male contraceptive.

Mice given the compound were infertile because their sperm were less mobile than mice not give JQ1. They also had lower sperm counts.

“While we will be conducting more research to see if we can build on our current findings, JQ1 shows initial promise as a lead compound for male contraception”, says Bradner.

The elusive male birth control pill might become a reality, based on the mouse studies. Mice given the compound still displayed the same mating behaviors and had healthy offspring after JQ1 was discontinued. The question from many women is – would men take any kind of birth control pill? 

Source: 

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

August 17, 2012

Tiny vitamin in milk found to have remarkable health benefits

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Researchers have discovered a small,  hidden vitamin in milk that has remarkable health benefits. The finding comes from mouse studies. Scientists discovered that high doses of a novel form of vitamin B3 that is present in small quantities in milk, and possibly other foods, makes mice stronger, faster and leaner without dieting and without exercise.

Hidden milk vitamin could prevent obesity and type 2 diabetes

Though the researchers aren’t sure about the human effects of the form of vitamin B3 -nicotinamide riboside or NR - which is a cousin to a precursor of the B vitamin Niacin, they now understand there are some potential benefits for preventing obesity and even type 2 diabetes.

In the mouse study, nicotinamide riboside offered the same benefits for health as eating a low-calorie diet and exercise, but the mice didn’t have to do either.

Dr. Anthony Sauve, associate professor of Pharmacology at Weill Cornell Medical College where the study was conducted explained in a press release:

“The bottom line is that NR improves the function of mitochondria, the cell's energy factories. Mitochondrial decline is the hallmark of many diseases associated with aging, such as cancer and neurodegeneration, and NR supplementation boosts mitochondrial functioning."

In 2007, Suave who is a pharmacologist and organic chemist found that NR increases nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) levels in mammalian cells, which regulates energy metabolism. NAD converts sugars, proteins and fats into energy. Stanford researcher and 1959 Nobel Laureate, Arthur Kornberg studied NR 60 years ago.

The scientists say the effect of the ‘hidden’ vitamin are ‘nothing short of astonishing’ and the researchers believe it’s present in many other foods, but difficult to detect.

Suave called the evidence ‘encouraging”, but says there is ‘much more work to do”. He has developed a synthetic form of NAD for further study and the Cornell Lab. If  human studies show the milk vitamin is safe at high doses, it could mean new treatment for obesity, diabetes and other metabolic disorders.

The potential of the tiny ‘hidden vitamin’ found in milk might someday be used to help humans. Mice in the study were given high doses of nicotinamide riboside and lost 60% more weight than a control group, even though they were fed the same high-fat diets. They also had more energy, lower cholesterol levels and increased insulin sensitivity.

Source:

New York- Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center/Weill Cornell Medical College 

June 14, 2012

How sleep deprivation alters the brain to raise anxiety

Too little sleep
can lead to high anxiety
Image credit: Bing

New information from sleep experts links too little sleep to higher anxiety levels. People who are already nervous have trouble sleeping. Conversely, lack of sleep can make already nervous people even more anxious, supercharging emotional responses from altered brain processes.

Lack of sleep triggers emotional brain centers

Researchers from the Sleep and Neuroimaging Laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley used MRI's of the brain to find how lack of sleep triggers emotional centers in the brain; in particular, the amygdala that reacts to unpleasant events.

For the study, investigators performed functional MRI (fMRI) on 16 subjects: once after sleep deprivation and once after a good night’s sleep. They were shown either an unpleasant or neutral image while scientists looked at what happened in the brain.

For some of the study participants, sleep deprivation increased the anticipation of a negative event as much as 60 percent.

"Anticipation is a fundamental brain process, a common survival mechanism across numerous species," said Andrea Goldstein, lead author of the study and a graduate student in the Sleep and Neuroimaging Laboratory, in a media release.

The researchers also noted sleep deprivation had the biggest impact on people who were naturally anxious.

The study is presented at SLEEP 2012, the 26th annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS).

Goldstein said, "Our results suggest that just one night of sleep loss significantly alters the optimal functioning of this essential brain process, especially among anxious individuals. This is perhaps never more relevant considering the continued erosion of sleep time that continues to occur across society."

Source: 

American Academy of Sleep Medicine

June 10, 2012

Ginseng gives cancer patients an energy boost in Mayo Clinic study (VIDEO)

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Ginseng boost energy for cancer patients in Mayo Clinic findings

Ginseng has long been used in Chinese medicine to boost energy. Now researchers at Mayo Clinic have found high doses of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) can give cancer patients suffering from fatigue that accompanies chemotherapy an energy boost.

For their study, the researchers tested primarily breast cancer patients (60 percent of participants).  Included were 340 patients who were either receiving cancer treatment or who had completed therapy.

Ginseng improves cancer patient's fatigue after 8 weeks

The study groups either received a placebo or 2,000mg of pure American ginseng root, which is an important note for women being treated for breast cancer.

Debra Barton, Ph.D., of the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center explained in a press release that ‘off the shelf’ ginseng is often processed with ethanol; giving it estrogen like properties that could pose dangers for breast cancer patients.

It took 8 weeks to see improvement in fatigue and symptoms of exhaustion, ‘feeling pooped’, ‘wore out’, ‘sluggish’ and ‘run down’, but the change was substantial.

There was a 20 point improvement on a standard 100-point fatigue scale reported by the cancer patients; with no apparent side effects.

The study is important because 90 percent of cancer patients experience fatigue that can disrupt normal routines, destroy quality of life and cause general debilitation.

Based on animal studies, the researchers believe the active ingredients in Ginseng -  called ginsenosides – calm inflammatory chemicals known as cytokines, in addition to stabilizing cortisol, which is a stress hormone.

Barton said, “Cancer is a prolonged chronic stress experience and the effects can last 10 years beyond diagnosis and treatment.

 If we can help the body be better modulated throughout treatment with the use of ginseng, we may be able to prevent severe long-term fatigue."

The findings shows ginseng is a natural energy booster that can help cancer patients overcome fatigue. The Mayo Clinic researchers are planning on continuing their studies into exactly how ginseng affects specific biomarkers in the body to give cancer patients an energy boost. Speak with your doctor before taking any supplements or over the counter medications.

Source: 

Mayo Clinic

June 4, 2012

New curry spice health benefit found from curcumin in turmeric

Indian curry spice boosts immunity
Image credit: Wikimedia commons

Researchers have found a new health benefit associated with eating Indian spices; specifically from curcumin, found in turmeric. 

In the study, researchers discovered turmeric naturally boosts immunity by activating a protein in the body that helps fight infection. Curcumin has a previously unknown benefit for health.

Curcumin could protect against infection from bacteria, fungus

The study that comes from the Linus Pauling Institute at OSU, published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, shows curcumin could protect humans from bacteria, viruses and fungus.

Turmeric has been shown to have potential medicinal applications for fighting cancer, reducing pain from arthritis and neuropathy,enhancing the effect of chemotherapy in head and neck cancers, combating obesity and protecting from diabetes.

In the new study, which was supported by the National Institutes of Health and included researchers from Copenhagen, the Indian spice was found to regulate expression of cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide, or CAMP, which plays a role in immunity.

"This research points to a new avenue for regulating CAMP gene expression," said Adrian Gombart in a media release. Gombart is an associate professor of biochemistry and biophysics in the Linus Pauling Institute. "It's interesting and somewhat surprising that curcumin can do that, and could provide another tool to develop medical therapies.

Gombart adds that turmeric in curcumin isn’t as potent for boosting immunity as is vitamin D. He suggests that consuming the Indian spice in low levels regularly could have health benefits that add up over time; especially for protecting the stomach and gastrointestinal tract from infection.

Chunxiao Guo, a graduate student, and Gombart looked at adding omega-3 fatty acids to curcumin for health benefits. They found no added benefit with omega-3, but the immune fighting protein CAMP was tripled with turmeric.

CAMP is also believed to protect from tuberculosis. Finding a way to curb tuberculosis has been a recent focus of researchers as resistant strains of the bacteria emerge. Turmeric, found in the Indian spice curcumin, is shown to have an added health benefit that wasn’t previously known and could help humans fight infection. You can add the spice for cooking or purchase it in capsules for daily consumption.

Source:

Oregon State University

May 25, 2012

What obesity does to adolescent hearts

Children who are overweight or obese are found in a new study to already have heart damage, even before symptoms appear in adulthood. The finding makes it even more important than to take measures to curb childhood obesity that is already known to adversely affect health decades later. 

New findings show teens who are obese have heart damage

Heart function abnormal in overweight, obese adolescents

The findings, presented at the Heart Failure Congress 2012, showed obese adolescents without symptoms of heart disease had thickened heart muscles in the lower chambers, or ventricles and other heart damage. 

 The study included 97 adolescents who had their weight, height, waist circumference and hip circumference measured. 

The researchers divided the adolescents into 3 groups based on body mass index (BMI) – lean, overweight and obese. There were 32 participants in the lean and obese group and 33 in the overweight group.

The adolescents had echocardiograms performed that measures heart function, including how well the heart muscle pumps blood into the circulation. 

The obese group of adolescents was found to have decreased systolic velocity, which could mean impaired blood flow. 

The study means obesity during adolescences takes a toll on the heart even before symptoms are present. 


Lead study author, Professor Gani Bajraktari said n a press release:

"Education on healthy food and exercise is needed in schools to prevent obesity and early cardiovascular disease in adolescents." 

Childhood obesity can also be prevented by ensuring communities have green spaces for activities. The Quebec Adipose and Lifestyle Investigation in Youth (QUALITY) study found environment plays a major role in helping fight childhood obesity. 

The childhood obesity epidemic spawned new guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2008, who suggested children who are overweight with metabolic risk factors for heart disease should be put on cholesterol lowering medications, which was met with some controversy.

The researchers also note more studies are needed to find out if weight loss can reverse the heart damage that comes from obesity during adolescence.

The finding adds to a growing body of evidence highlighting the health dangers of childhood obesity. The new study shows obesity takes a toll on the heart – even as early as adolescence.

Source:

European Society of Cardiology

“Abnormal myocardial systolic and diastolic myocardial function in obese asymptomatic adolescents”

May, 2012

Weight training improves tremors for Parkinson’s patients, finds study

Image credit: Morguefile

Parkinson’s disease symptoms of tremor improve with weight training, finds an important new study.

Researchers from the  American Academy of Neurology said in a media release, “While we have known that many different types of exercise can benefit Parkinson’s patients over short time periods, we did not know whether exercise improves the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s over the long term.”

Daniel Corcos, PhD, with the University of Illinois at Chicago and colleagues studied 48 patients wit Parkinson's disease who underwent progressive resistance training - weight training - for one hour, twice a week for two years.  

A second group of patients with Parkinson’s disease were assigned flexibility, balance and stretching exercises, known as fitness counts.

The researchers measured progress when the patients were off their medications, using the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) after six, 12, 18 and 24 months.  The scale measures the severity of symptoms of tremor that are a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease.

Weight training lead to a 7.3% improvement on the UPBRS score after two years. Both groups improved at six months, but patients that performed fitness count exercises return to the same score assigned at the start of the study.

“Our results suggest that long-term weight training could be considered by patients and doctors as an important component in managing Parkinson’s disease,” said Corcos.

If you’ve been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, consider speaking with your doctor about starting a weight training program. 

The study showed patients with Parkinson’s disease experienced significant improvement in symptoms of tremor after two years of performing weight training exercises.

Source:

American Academy of Neurology

“24 Months of Exercise Improves the Motor Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease”

Daniel Corcos, PhD et al.

February 16, 2012

Occasional marijuana won't harm lungs, finds study

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Researchers from University of California, San Francisco have found smoking marijuana occasionally doesn't harm the lungs. However, they also found in their study that excessive cannabis smoking does lead to lung damage.


In their study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the scientists followed 5,016 men and women who were part of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study for a period of 20 years.


Because cannabis has some of the same chemicals as cigarette tobacco, the researchers were interested in finding out if marijuana causes the type of lung damage associated with tobacco.


Fifty-four percent reported they smoked marijuana, tobacco, or both. Tobacco was smoke more often - 8 to 9 cigarettes a day compared with two or 3 episodes of marijuana use in the previous 30 days. 

The authors write:

“With up to 7 joint-years of life-time exposure (e.g., 1 joint/day for 7 years or 1 joint/week for 49 years), we found no evidence that increasing exposure to marijuana adversely affects pulmonary function.”

Measurements used to test lung damage included FEV1 - the amount of air you can blow out of your lungs in one second after taking a full, deep breath, and FVC, which is the total amount of air forcibly exhaled after taking full breath in.


In the study FVC actually improved. The researchers suggest it may be from  inhaling deeply that occurs with marijuana smoking that strengthens and stretches the lungs. 


The research team, which was led by Mark J. Pletcher, MD, MPH, notes marijuana has benefits for controlling pain, improving mood and promoting appetite. 


The finding that occasional marijuana smoking doesn't harm the lungs, might be used in support of medicinal use of cannabis to treat chronic health conditions. However, smoking pot more than 20 times a month was shown to cause a substantial decrease in FEV1 - forced exhaled (lung) volume in one-second. 


Source:

Pletcher MJ, Vittinghoff E, Kalhan R, Richman J, Safford M, Sidney S, Lin F, Kertesz S. Association between marijuana exposure and pulmonary function over 20 years. JAMA 2012; 307(2): 173-81