Researchers from the University of Alberta's Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry and Johns Hopkins University have identified a single protein, named MRGPRB2, as the root cause of allergic reactions to drugs and injections. Researchers are now exploring ways to block the protein and reduce painful side effects caused by the reactions.
Every day in hospitals around the world, patients suffer painful allergic reactions known as pseudo-allergies to the medicines they are given. The reactions often cause itchiness, swelling and rashes, and can be so severe that doctors may stop patients from taking their needed medications and sometimes can even prove fatal. The exact reason of what triggers these allergic reactions still remains unknown.
Choose The Right Over-the-Counter Drugs for Allergy
Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs can be bought without a prescription. OTC allergy medications are for the allergy sufferer to choose the right over-the-counter drugs.
Advertisement
The scientists tested lab models with and without the protein MRGPRB2 on their cells. They found that the lab models without the protein did not suffer negative effects despite being given drugs known to provoke reactions. Study co-author Benjamin McNeil said, "It's fortunate that all of the drugs turn out to trigger a single receptor, it makes that receptor an attractive drug target."
Researcher Marianna Kulka said, "We are in the very early stages but we now understand how these pseudo-allergies are happening. This is a very large step forward in many ways. By understanding how they're happening we can really help to avoid some of the pitfalls of designing drugs that cause the pseudo-allergies. We've got big plans in the future for trying to expand this [research] and better understand how this works."
The study is published in the journal Nature.
Source: Medindia
The study is published in the journal Nature.
Source: Medindia
Allergy
An allergy is a hypersensitive disorder of immune system. Substances that often cause allergic reactions are pollen, dust mites, mold spores, pet dander, food, insect stings and medicines.
Advertisement
 Allergy - Symptom EvaluationAn allergic reaction may be mild or severe. It usually involves the skin, respiratory system, eyes, digestive system or blood pressure. | Advertisement
|
Allergy Eye Drops
Eye allergies are treated with different types of eye drops such as lubricants, antihistamines, NSAIDs and corticosteroids. Eye drops are used to reduce allergies, eye infection and help healing.
Advertisement
Recommended Readings
Latest Research News
New study sheds light on the intrinsic, yet often overlooked, role of sleep preparation as a hardwired survival strategy.
Microgravity-induced bone loss in space, can be reduced by systemic delivery of NELL-1, a protein required for bone growth and its maintenance.
Researchers establish connections between Alzheimer's-linked genetic alterations and the functioning of brain cells.
Team at NeuroRestore introduces a groundbreaking gene therapy that has effectively promoted nerve regrowth and reconnection, post spinal cord injury.
Scientists aim to pinpoint particular functional pathways affected by these bacteria that may have an impact on skeletal health.
