Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Medindia

Cure For Persistent Oral Fungal Problem May Be Possible

by Medindia Content Team on Mar 16 2005 12:47 PM

Buffalo University dental researchers have identified some proteins that have anti-fungal properties and have the potential to replace current drugs that are used to treat fungal infections of the mouth.

These peptides have strong anti-fungal properties, even against fungal infections that become resistant to medication. Also the properties of these peptides can be increased if they can be protected from the enzymes that may destroy them.

This may be achieved by synthesizing a protease inhibitor cocktail that may inhibit the enzymes that kill the peptides. This cocktail thus may be able to increase the ability of the peptides to treat potential oral infections up to double their original power.

One peptide called MUC7 12-mer, which occurs naturally in the human salivary mucin molecule is quite effective for treating oral fungal infections. Even active in very low concentrations, when used with inhibitors, the peptide killed the fungal agents that cause very common infections like candidiasis and cryptococcosis. These can be an especially effective treatment for patients having immunity suppressing drugs, like those suffering from HIV-AIDS, Organ transplant patients and chemotherapy patients.

http://www.buffalo.edu/news/fast-execute.cgi/article-
page.html?article=66080009


Advertisement