The NADPH Oxidase complex attacks blood vessels, the heart lining,
joints and the brain when placed under metabolic stress, causing most of
the diseases of ageing. However it has another vital role in helping
cells to 'talk' to each other, which means that humans need the complex
in order to live.
Researchers at the University of Surrey, in collaboration with the
Universities of Reading and Cologne, and the Royal Berkshire Hospital,
have discovered that it is possible to stop the activation of this group of
proteins (NADPH Oxidase) known to cause most of the diseases of ageing.
This will potentially pave the way for the development of drugs to
treat a range of age-related diseases.
‘The natural mutation SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) protects against cardiovascular disease and also affects the activation of NADPH oxidase.’
The new research has found that the natural mutation SNP (single
nucleotide polymorphism) protects against cardiovascular disease and
also affects the activation of NADPH oxidase.
By identifying the molecular mechanism of an SNP, the research
enables the design of drugs that will prevent the activation process in
conditions of stress, without affecting the function of NADPH Oxidase in
cell health. The researchers believe it will lead to the development of
drugs to treat heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and dementia, and
also fibrosis in the lungs.
In addition, the research has exciting implications for personalized
medicine - a concept which is likely to change the face of healthcare
in the future - as it will be possible, in theory, to give patients
tailored doses of medicine depending on the SNP mutations they have.
Dr. Brendan Howlin, Director of Postgraduate Research at the
University of Surrey, said: "This breakthrough could have a
revolutionary impact on healthcare and individuals by tackling two of
the key challenges in healthcare today: an ageing population and a
growing requirement for personalized medicine. Since the initial
research, we have developing a series of drugs that prevent the
activation process, and are now working on bringing these drugs to
market."
Source: Eurekalert
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