As I gaze out at beautiful Honolulu, my neon tetras provide an enhanced sense of relaxation:
Viewing aquarium displays led to noticeable reductions in blood pressure and heart rate, a research team found in the first study of its kind. They also noted that higher numbers of fish helped to hold people's attention for longer and improve their mood.
However, little did I know that this docile fish is a close cousin of the zebrafish (sold as zebra danio), the equivalent of a white rat in medical research. The April issue of Scientific American had an interesting article: A Shot at Regeneration.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Compared to other organs such as the liver, the adult human heart lacks the capacity to regenerate on a macroscopic scale after injury. As a result, myocardial infarctions are responsible for approximately half of all cardiovascular related deaths. In contrast, the zebrafish heart regenerates efficiently upon injury through robust myocardial proliferation.
Apparently, MSI-1436, which derives from the skin of a small shark, is able to stimulate damaged organs in humans to regrow. Similar treatment for previous ailments did not work well mainly because it had to be injected, but this compound was at least shown to be safe.
If you consider the entire animal kingdom, specific species have the ability to regenerate just about every tissue or organ in your body. Salamanders can regrow entire limbs, and the zebrafish can do this not only for its heart, but also for kidney, pancreas and appendages. We humans, too, for we can regenerate skin, blood and cells in our muscles, bones, etc. We are also able to regrow portions of our liver. However, as we age, this general ability disappears.
MDIBL AND NOVO Biosciences (profit arm) will next test MSI-1436 on pigs, an animal whose heart most closely resembles that of humans. Then, human clinical trials.
We all evolved through similar earlier evolutionary paths. In our genes we probably have the ability to regenerate every cell. Genetic engineering should someday be perfected to turn-on this ability, while turning-off harmful variations like cancer. Stem cells and MSI-1436 are intermediary steps toward this ultimate cure.
From Science News:
Viewing aquarium displays led to noticeable reductions in blood pressure and heart rate, a research team found in the first study of its kind. They also noted that higher numbers of fish helped to hold people's attention for longer and improve their mood.However, little did I know that this docile fish is a close cousin of the zebrafish (sold as zebra danio), the equivalent of a white rat in medical research. The April issue of Scientific American had an interesting article: A Shot at Regeneration.
Michael Zasloff of Georgetown University contacted Kevin Strange and Viravuth Yin of MDI Biological Laboratory (right) in Maine about the remarkable ability of dolphins to regenerate tissues. Discussions led to a natural antibiotic, MSI-1436, a drug that was abandoned a dozen years ago to treat diabetes and obesity. This led to their receiving a patent to regenerate heart tissue.
It was back in 1967 that Christiaan Barnard of South Africa performed the first heart transplant. More recently, stem cell therapy has been attempted to reverse heart failure. So far, however, this treatment has turned out to be more harmful and helpful. Regeneration now appears to be the most promising pathway.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Compared to other organs such as the liver, the adult human heart lacks the capacity to regenerate on a macroscopic scale after injury. As a result, myocardial infarctions are responsible for approximately half of all cardiovascular related deaths. In contrast, the zebrafish heart regenerates efficiently upon injury through robust myocardial proliferation. Apparently, MSI-1436, which derives from the skin of a small shark, is able to stimulate damaged organs in humans to regrow. Similar treatment for previous ailments did not work well mainly because it had to be injected, but this compound was at least shown to be safe.
If you consider the entire animal kingdom, specific species have the ability to regenerate just about every tissue or organ in your body. Salamanders can regrow entire limbs, and the zebrafish can do this not only for its heart, but also for kidney, pancreas and appendages. We humans, too, for we can regenerate skin, blood and cells in our muscles, bones, etc. We are also able to regrow portions of our liver. However, as we age, this general ability disappears.
MDIBL AND NOVO Biosciences (profit arm) will next test MSI-1436 on pigs, an animal whose heart most closely resembles that of humans. Then, human clinical trials.
We all evolved through similar earlier evolutionary paths. In our genes we probably have the ability to regenerate every cell. Genetic engineering should someday be perfected to turn-on this ability, while turning-off harmful variations like cancer. Stem cells and MSI-1436 are intermediary steps toward this ultimate cure.
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Hurricane Barbara will become mere depression, but still bring rain to Hawaii, beginning Monday:'
The Atlantic has been relatively quiet, but things are brewing:
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