Thyroid Hormone
Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2004 3:00 pm
This is still being tested on rats, but I like that it seems to enhance the replacement of myelin.
Thyroid Hormone May Help Repair MS Damage
Tue 9 November, 2004 20:19
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Treatment with thyroid hormone enhances the replacement of myelin -- the insulating sheath around brain neurons -- in rats with a chronic demyelinating disease, researchers report
Since loss of myelin is the underlying problem in multiple sclerosis (MS), the authors believe this therapy could be useful for MS patients.
Previous reports have shown that thyroid hormone is needed for the normal maturation of precursor cells that become myelin-producing cells, the scientists explain in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Moreover, there is evidence that thyroid function is altered in MS patients.
Given these observations, Dr. Laura Calza, from the University of Bologna in Italy, and colleagues evaluated the effects of thyroid hormone therapy on re-myelination in rats with a chronic form of demyelinating disease.
Previously, the research team had shown thyroid hormone promoted re-myelination during the early phase of disease, but in this study they were interested in whether the hormone was helpful in the later ongoing stage, when myelin loss is more pronounced.
As noted, treatment with thyroid hormone enhanced and accelerated re-myelination in the model of chronic disease. However, for full benefit to be achieved, the hormone had to be administered relatively early.
"We suggest that thyroid hormone could have a role in potentiating reluctant myelination by inducing (precursor cells) to differentiate into myelinating (cells) during a specific phase of the disease," the researchers say.
http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsArticle.jh ... ction=news
Thyroid Hormone May Help Repair MS Damage
Tue 9 November, 2004 20:19
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Treatment with thyroid hormone enhances the replacement of myelin -- the insulating sheath around brain neurons -- in rats with a chronic demyelinating disease, researchers report
Since loss of myelin is the underlying problem in multiple sclerosis (MS), the authors believe this therapy could be useful for MS patients.
Previous reports have shown that thyroid hormone is needed for the normal maturation of precursor cells that become myelin-producing cells, the scientists explain in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Moreover, there is evidence that thyroid function is altered in MS patients.
Given these observations, Dr. Laura Calza, from the University of Bologna in Italy, and colleagues evaluated the effects of thyroid hormone therapy on re-myelination in rats with a chronic form of demyelinating disease.
Previously, the research team had shown thyroid hormone promoted re-myelination during the early phase of disease, but in this study they were interested in whether the hormone was helpful in the later ongoing stage, when myelin loss is more pronounced.
As noted, treatment with thyroid hormone enhanced and accelerated re-myelination in the model of chronic disease. However, for full benefit to be achieved, the hormone had to be administered relatively early.
"We suggest that thyroid hormone could have a role in potentiating reluctant myelination by inducing (precursor cells) to differentiate into myelinating (cells) during a specific phase of the disease," the researchers say.
http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsArticle.jh ... ction=news
