Pregnancy Hormone Helps MS
A hormone produced during pregnancy could reverse some of the neurological damage associated with multiple sclerosis, a mouse study suggests.The finding could help explain why women with MS suffer fewer symptoms during pregnancy.
And the results suggest that the hormone - prolactin - might one day be used to treat people with the disorder.Multiple sclerosis involves the destruction of the sheath of fatty tissue called myelin that normally protects nerve cells.
The loss of this protective layer disrupts nerve signalling and leads to symptoms including loss of coordination.To simulate neurological damage in female mice, Samuel Weiss of the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada, and colleagues injected small amounts of a myelin-degrading toxin into the spine of the animals.
Some of the mice were then allowed to mate and became pregnant, after which the team injected both groups with a marker compound which integrates with the DNA of new cells, allowing these to be clearly identified.
Read more here Pregnancy hormone reverses MS damage - health - 21 February 2007 - New Scientist
Evelyn wrote:
Interesting!
Posted on 24-Feb-07 at 1:40 am | Permalink
SacrificialNewt wrote:
It has been noted by other MS sufferers that they seem to degrade straight after the birth though.
That may answer why.
Posted on 24-Feb-07 at 10:35 am | Permalink