Will TGF-α save you from the consequences of a stroke?
The use of TGF-α protein completely restores motor functions lost during stroke
Dmitry Safin, Compulenta
Researchers from the University of California, Irvine (USA) have proved that the TGF-α protein promotes the restoration of motor functions lost as a result of stroke.
TGF-α (transforming growth factor alpha), related to transforming growth factors, is directly involved in the development of the body, stimulating the formation of tissues.
Scientists artificially induced a stroke in rats and assessed its consequences by conducting various tests. It is known, for example, that animals that have lost mobility of limbs on any side of the body due to a stroke, when choosing the direction of movement, often turn towards the "healthy" half of the body.
A month after the stroke (this period corresponds to one year of human life), TGF-α was injected into the brain of a group of rats. A month later, the researchers noted an almost complete recovery of motor functions; on the contrary, rodents who did not receive TGF-α improved their test results by only 30%. In the study of the rat brain, it was found that the protein stimulates the growth of neurons: under its influence, stem cells begin to actively divide, turn into neurons and move to the affected areas of the brain.
In a separate series of experiments, a slightly modified version of TGF-α was used, which was delivered to the rats through the nose. These animals managed to improve their performance in tests by 70%, which serves as additional proof of the high effectiveness of the technique.
"We ourselves did not expect this," comments study participant James Fallon (James Fallon, photo by Daniel Anderson). "I think we need to move on to clinical trials of this technique as soon as possible."
Full versions of the scientists' reports are published in the publications Neuroscience and Journal of Stroke & Cerebrovascular Diseases.
Prepared based on the materials of the University of California, Irvine: New stroke therapy successful in rats.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru
13.01.2010