Parkinson’s disease is a progressive condition that affects an individual’s nervous system and the body parts controlled by the nerves. Scientifically speaking, the disease is brought on by neuronal damage caused by too much production of reactive oxygen species.
Damage mainly affects neurons that produce dopamine, which plays a role in cognitive function and motor control. The condition usually gets worse over time, with the first symptom often being a tremor in the hands. Other symptoms include painful muscle contractions, tremors, and difficulty speaking. As the population globally grows older, the number of individuals suffering from Parkinson’s continues to increase.
To reduce damage to dopamine neurotransmitters, the generation of reactive oxygen species has to be suppressed. At the moment, only symptomatic treatment is at hand, highlighting the need for more prevention techniques and treatment regimens.
Recently, a research group led by Associate Professor Akiko Kojima-Yuasa found that seaweed antioxidants could help prevent Parkinson’s disease. The study was conducted by researchers at the Graduate School of Human Life and Ecology at Osaka Metropolitan University.
For their study, the researchers carried out 2 types of motor function tests on mice models with Parkinson’s disease. The mice were orally fed Ecklonia cava polyphenols, the antioxidants, everyday for a seven-day period. Once the period lapsed, the mice then received rotenone to reduce motor function.
The researchers observed that the antioxidants restored motor function, noting that they also recorded an improvement in the colon mucosa structure and intestinal motor function. The mucosa covers the colon.
They also used model cells of Parkinson’s disease in cellular experiments, which helped verify the biochemical interaction of Ecklonia cava’s preventive effect. Their results demonstrated that the Ecklonia cava activated the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase enzyme. The enzyme, known as AMPK in short, hinders reactive oxygen species production, thus preventing neuronal cell death.
In their report, Kojima-Yuasa noted that they hoped Ecklonia cava would be an effective ingredient in preventing Parkinson’s. The study was supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.
Other researchers involved included Toshio Norikura, Yuri Yasuda, Isao Matsui-Yuasa, Tamaki Tokumatsu, Yutaro Sasaki, Chiharu Ueda, and Manami Sakai.
Currently, Parkinson’s disease has no cure and is treated using medications like Levodopa, which increase the amount of dopamine in the brain. Other medications prescribed include anticholinergics, which decrease involuntary muscle movement. Physicians also recommend supportive therapies to help relieve patient symptoms while maintaining their quality of life.
More efforts are also being invested by many enterprises like Clene Inc. (NASDAQ: CLNN) to develop efficacious treatments for this condition so that patients can have an option that can really move the needle in halting or even reversing the progression of the disease.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Clene Inc. (NASDAQ: CLNN) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/CLNN
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