Melatonin, often called the "sleepiness hormone," regulates the sleep-wake cycle in mammals, modulates the expression of more than 500 genes, and exerts potent antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. A new study in mice suggests that melatonin also influences memory formation. Mice performed better on memory tests after receiving melatonin. Researchers gave male mice melatonin, ramelteon (a drug that activates melatonin receptors), and AMK (a melatonin metabolite) to assess their effects on memory formation while completing a task involving recognizing new objects. Then, they examined... memory melatonin
Read moreA recent study demonstrated that an experimental mRNA-based vaccine prevented peanut allergy in mice. The vaccine effectively induced peanut protein tolerance, reducing or preventing symptoms of allergy. Researchers developed a lipid nanoparticle vaccine that delivered mRNA-encoded peanut allergen and administered it to mice that are prone to peanut allergy. Then they exposed the mice to peanut protein and assessed their immune response. They found that the mRNA vaccine induced the production of T regulatory cells, a specialized type of T cells that suppress the body's immune response. The v... immune system vaccine allergies
Read moreAntibodies that destroy myelin in multiple sclerosis may cross-react with casein, a milk protein. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative and autoimmune disease caused when the immune system attacks myelin proteins on nerves, mistaking them for proteins produced by pathogens. The cause of this immune confusion is complex but may involve exposure to proteins found in cow's milk, which anecdotally worsen MS symptoms for some patients. New research supports this anecdotal evidence, finding that MS autoantibodies cross-react with casein, the principal protein in cow's milk. In order to crea... brain multiple sclerosis autoimmunity
Read moreCurcumin is the principal bioactive compound present in the yellow spice, turmerice. An abundance of scientific evidence indicates that curcumin exerts antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and neuroprotective properties (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5664031/) in humans. Findings from a 2019 study suggest that curcumin improves exercise tolerance in mice with heart failure via its activation of Nrf2. Heart failure, commonly referred to as the end stage of heart disease, affects more than 26 million people worldwide (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5494150/).... exercise heart disease curcumin nrf2
Read moreAlzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by aggregates of misfolded proteins such as amyloid-beta and tau in the brain. Previous research has attempted to use amyloid-beta vaccines to stall or reverse the progression of Alzherimer’s disease; however, these trials failed to produce a vaccine that was effective and safe (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laneur/article/PIIS1474-4422(02)00023-6/fulltext). A study released this week has identified a new target for Alzheimer’s disease vaccines that may succeed in clearing amyloid-beta plaques. Amyloid-beta is a small, 36-43... alzheimer's vaccine
Read moreGenetically lowering plasma insulin levels by 25% extended median lifespan by 11% in female mice fed a low-calorie/high-carb/low-fat diet and by 3% in female mice fed a high-calorie/high-fat/low-carb diet. This study looked at the effects of genetically lowering insulin levels in older mice. Unfortunately, the male mice did not have lower plasma levels of insulin despite genetically lowering insulin-genes and so the effect on lifespan could not be determined in male mice. The female mice were fed two diets: (diet A: moderate-energy diet of 4.68 kcal/g, with 20% of calories from protein, 25% fr... diet aging insulin resistance insulin protein carbohydrates
Read moreThe study found that injected young mice with blood from either old mice or old humans caused tissue inflammation and decreased neurogenesis (growth of new brain cells) in the young mice. The levels of a protein called VCAM1 increase in blood with age and it was found that blocking the action of this protein did not lead to these negative effects when the old blood was transplanted into young mice. ... aging immune system protein
Read moreHeat shock proteins are robustly activated by heat. Both using the sauna and engaging in exercise that makes you sweat are great ways to kick on heat shock proteins. ... brain protein
Read moreFTA: > Scientists have shown that a protein they previously demonstrated can make the failing hearts in aging mice appear more like those of young health mice, similarly improves brain and skeletal muscle function in aging mice. In two separate articles scientists report that injections of a protein known as GDF11, which is found in humans as well as mice, improved the exercise capability of mice equivalent in age to that of about a 70-year-old human. ... brain aging muscle protein
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