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The Independent
26 minutes ago
- The Independent
Scientists find carbon monoxide antidote that could treat poisoning within minutes
Scientists have engineered a molecule that shows promise as the world's first fast-acting antidote for carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning, accounting for nearly 30,000 deaths globally each year. It mainly occurs when the gas from generators or vehicles builds up in poorly ventilated spaces. The gas is also a common contributing factor to deaths from building and forest fires. Carbon monoxide binds strongly with haemoglobin in the blood, preventing the molecule from performing its role of transporting oxygen in the body. Currently, the only available treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning involves giving patients 100 per cent pure oxygen, sometimes under pressure in a hyperbaric chamber. But even with this treatment about half of survivors suffer long-term heart and brain damage, highlighting the need for faster, more effective therapies. Despite a high death rate and long-term complications among survivors there are currently no specific antidotes available to treat carbon monoxide poisoning, the researchers noted in their study published in the journal PNAS. In the study, scientists engineered a protein-based molecule called RcoM-HBD-CCC, which soaks up carbon monoxide from the blood like a sponge. The molecule uses a natural protein called RcoM, or regulator of metabolism, which the bacterium Paraburkholderia xenovorans produces to sense minute levels of carbon monoxide. It is known to bind to carbon monoxide without interfering with oxygen or other important molecules in the body. Researchers particularly focused on engineering carbon monoxide 'scavengers,' which are proteins with a similar structure to haemoglobin that bind even more strongly to carbon monoxide, and less so with oxygen. They found that their scavenger molecule RcoM-HBD-CCC bound strongly to carbon monoxide molecules, reducing the time it takes to clear half of the carbon monoxide in the blood to less than a minute, compared to pure oxygen therapy, which takes more than an hour. Scientists showed that the new therapy could quickly remove carbon monoxide from red blood cells in mice and was then safely flushed out of their bodies via urine. 'Unlike other protein-based treatments, we found the compound caused only minimal changes in blood pressure, which was an exciting finding and raised the potential for this new molecule to have clinical applications,' says Mark Gladwin, an author of the study from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. 'This has the potential to become a rapid, intravenous antidote for carbon monoxide that could be given in the emergency department or even in the field by first-responders,' Dr Gladwin says. Scientists hope to conduct further pre-clinical research to determine the safe and effective dosage range for RcoM-HBD-CCC in treating carbon monoxide poisoning.
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
University of Reading creates research unit in Kuwait
The University of Reading has created a research unit in Kuwait as part of a partnership with a major pharmaceutical agreement, signed in June, brings together the university and the Kuwait Pharmaceutical Association with the goal of "advancing pharmaceutical practices in the country".The initial focus of the new unit will be pharmacy practice as well health services new unit will also see student exchanges between Reading and Kuwait. Dr Mamoon Al Deyab, associate professor in pharmacy and health services research at Reading school of pharmacy and director of the new research unit, said: "Our objective is to make everyday pharmacy care safer and better."We want to build pharmacists skills, we want to strengthen the workforce in Kuwait and in Berkshire, we want to test practical ideas in real healthcare settings and when they work we turn them into routine practise."Teams in Reading and Kuwait will work together to run joint studies, shared expertise, we will apply for joint grants together and offer real world project for students and practitioners."Dr Ahmad Taqi, chair of the Kuwait Pharmaceutical Association, said: "We are confident this exciting partnership will help to increase the number of specialised pharmacists in Kuwait, expand our scientific output and support evidence-based studies." You can follow BBC Berkshire and Facebook, X
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Millions of diabetes patients could be given weight loss jabs sooner
New draft guidance from Nice proposes a significant overhaul of type 2 diabetes care in England, moving towards personalised treatment to prevent serious complications. SGLT-2 inhibitors, which protect the heart and kidneys, are recommended as a first-line treatment option, potentially saving nearly 22,000 lives. The guidelines aim to address the current under-prescription of SGLT-2 inhibitors, particularly among women, older people, and black patients, to reduce health inequalities. GLP-1 receptor agonists, including semaglutide, are also suggested for earlier use in some patients, alongside tailored recommendations for specific conditions. This shift represents a holistic approach to type 2 diabetes management, focusing on cardiovascular and kidney health, and is open for public consultation until 2 October.
