Scientists from Johns Hopkins University found that typically characterized as poisonous, corrosive, and smelling of rotten eggs, hydrogen sulfide may help protect aging brain cells against Alzheimer’s disease.
The discovery of the biochemical reactions may help with the development of new drugs to combat brain disease in older people.
The research is published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and was conducted by Bindu Paul et al.
The human body naturally creates small amounts of hydrogen sulfide to help regulate functions throughout the body, from cell metabolism to blood vessel dilation.
The rapidly burgeoning field of gasotransmission shows that gases are major cellular messenger molecules, with particular importance in the brain.
In the case of hydrogen sulfide, this entails the modification of target proteins by a process called chemical sulfhydration, which modulates their activity.
Studies using a new method have shown that sulfhydration levels in the brain decrease with age, a trend that is amplified in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
In the study, the team confirmed a decrease in sulfhydration in the AD brain.
The team also showed that hydrogen sulfide improved cognitive and motor function by 50% compared with mice that did not receive the injections of NaGYY.
Treated mice could better remember the locations of platform exits and appeared more physically active than their untreated counterparts with simulated Alzheimer’s disease.
The results show that introducing hydrogen sulfide can reverse the behavioral outcomes of Alzheimer’s disease.
Until recently, researchers lacked the pharmacological tools to mimic how the body slowly makes tiny quantities of hydrogen sulfide inside cells.
The compound used in this study does just that and shows by correcting brain levels of hydrogen sulfide.
The team believes they could successfully reverse some aspects of Alzheimer’s disease.
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If you care about brain health, please read studies about cause of Alzheimer’s disease, and personality that may protect you from Alzheimer’s disease.
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