Daily circadian cycles may impact our ability to fight disease
An analysis of an exhaustive dataset on cells essential to the mammalian immune system shows that our ability to fight disease may rely more heavily on daily circadian cycles than previously assumed.
Malfunctions in circadian rhythms, the process that keeps our bodies in tune with the day/night cycles, are increasingly associated with diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer s, and many other diseases. An investigation published today in
Genome Research shows that the activity of macrophages -; cells within us that seek and destroy intruders like bacteria -; may time daily changes in their responses to pathogens and stress through the circadian control of metabolism.
Inherited or transmitted gut microbes affect skeletal development in animals
Gut microbes passed from female mice to their offspring, or shared between mice that live together, may influence the animals bone mass, says a new study published today in
eLife.
The findings suggest that treatments which alter the gut microbiome could help improve bone structure or treat conditions that weaken bones, such as osteoporosis.
Genetics account for most of the variability in human bone density, but non-genetic factors such as gut microbes may also play a role. We wanted to investigate the influence of the microbiome on skeletal growth and bone mass development.
Rotten egg gas may help protect aging brain cells from Alzheimer’s disease
Typically characterized as poisonous, corrosive and smelling of rotten eggs, hydrogen sulfide s reputation may soon get a face-lift thanks to Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers. In experiments in mice, researchers have shown the foul-smelling gas may help protect aging brain cells against Alzheimer s disease. The discovery of the biochemical reactions that make this possible opens doors to the development of new drugs to combat neurodegenerative disease.
The findings from the study are reported in the Jan. 11 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academies of Science. Our new data firmly link aging, neurodegeneration and cell signaling using hydrogen sulfide and other gaseous molecules within the cell, says Bindu Paul, M.Sc., Ph.D., faculty research instructor in neuroscience in the Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and lead correspondin
Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine, in collaboration with Dutch scientists, have found that certain metabolites -; small molecules produced by the process of metabolism -; may be predictive indicators for persons at risk for recurrent major depressive disorder.