Latest news with #JournalofClinicalInvestigation
Daily Record
04-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
New drug could offer hope for people with incurable condition
A drug that is currently used for cancer could be the key in treating a disease that has no cure, and a life expectancy of just three to five years A lesser-known medication could potentially offer some mch needed hope for those suffering from an incurable and fatal condition, which often results in death within three years of diagnosis. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and terminal disease that causes lung scarring and increasing breathing difficulties. It's a severe and life-limiting illness affecting approximately 70,000 people annually in the UK, according to Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis. Amy Price, mother of Katie Price, was diagnosed with IPF in 2017 and continues to battle the disease. Sadly, there is no known cure and while existing treatments can provide some relief, they only slow down its progression. Although this is predominantly a disease associated with aging and is seldom seen before the age of 50, experts believe these findings could also offer significant hope for other similar age-related diseases. A drug currently used for cancer treatment could be the answer. According to recent research by Tulane University, scientists have discovered a potential new method to treat IPF. A study from Tulane University, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, suggests an existing cancer medication might help the immune system clear out cells causing lung scarring, potentially enhancing lung function for those with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). The research points out that while fibroblasts, specialised cells in healthy lungs, contribute to tissue repair, in IPF patients, some fibroblasts and adjacent epithelial cells become "senescent"—cells that stop dividing but don't die as expected. These malfunctioning cells pile up, leading to the formation of stiff, scarred lung tissue. The team found that these senescent cells accumulate because the immune system struggles to remove them effectively, a problem linked to a protein known as CTLA4, which suppresses immune response like an emergency brake. To counter this, the researchers administered the cancer drug ipilimumab to mice, inhibiting CTLA4. This action released the immune system's "brake," allowing T cells, crucial for immunity, to eliminate the senescent fibroblast cells. Consequently, the treated mice exhibited better lung healing and less scarring. "The CTLA4 protein typically functions to inhibit excessive inflammation by restraining overactive T cells," explained senior author Dr. Victor Thannickal, professor and Harry B. Greenberg Chair of Medicine at Tulane University's John W. Deming Department of Medicine. "An excess of this 'blocker protein' may lead to the loss of the 'good' inflammation necessary for eliminating senescent cells. Essentially, we're blocking the blocker." The team zeroed in on CTLA4 as a potential therapeutic target after discovering elevated levels of it on T cells in the most scarred areas of lung tissue from humans and mice with IPF. Mice treated with ipilimumab exhibited improved lung healing and quicker recovery than those not administered the drug. "This paves the way for an entirely new approach to treating IPF," stated lead author Santu Yadav, PhD, assistant professor of medicine at the Tulane University School of Medicine. "Rather than employing drugs to destroy senescent cells, we are reactivating our own immune system to clear them out." Further research is required to determine the efficacy of drugs targeting CTLA4 or other "checkpoint proteins" in rejuvenating the immune system. A significant hurdle is identifying a safe dosage that allows the immune system to purge ageing cells without inciting excessive inflammation. "If it works in IPF, this immune rejuvenating approach to treatment may be effective in other diseases such as Alzheimer's or cardiovascular diseases in which senescent cells are known to accumulate. "Can the right drug activate T cells in a way that clears senescent cells without causing collateral damage? If so, we may be closer to combating many aging related diseases and perhaps even aging itself." What are the signs and symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis? Common symptoms can include: Unexplained weight loss Clubbing of fingers and toes (swollen and rounded finger and toe tips) Shortness of breath (breathlessness) Dry cough Tiredness (fatigue) What are the risk factors of pulmonary fibrosis? Risk factors for pulmonary fibrosis can include:
The Sun
30-04-2025
- Health
- The Sun
The 30-second daily habit doctor says could help you burn more fat than your gym workout
Katrina Turrill Published: Invalid Date, A WEIGHT LOSS expert has revealed the small daily habit that could help people burn more fat - and it takes less time than scrolling Instagram. Many people, especially those with demanding jobs or family responsibilities, face real time constraints when it comes to cooking healthy meals, preparing for workouts, or finding time for physical activity. 2 But according to Professor Franklin Joseph, of Dr Frank's weight loss clinic, there's one easy change people can make that helps the body become better at burning fat - and it doesn't involve hours at the gym or cutting carbs. The professor, who's helped thousands of people lose weight through but smart swaps, says a 30-second cold shower is key. A 30-second cold blast 'If you want to increase fat-burning without doing more cardio, start by turning your shower cold for 30 seconds at the end,' he said. 'It sounds simple - and it is - but it works.' The trick, he says, is in how the body responds to sudden cold exposure. 'When you're hit with cold water, your body has to work harder to keep you warm. That activates something called brown fat - a type of fat that burns calories to generate heat,' he explained. Brown fat is a type of fat that burns calories to generate heat, and can lead to increased energy expenditure Studies have shown that regular exposure to cold - even just a short blast at the end of a warm shower - can boost metabolism and encourage fat loss over time. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that participants exposed to mild cold for several hours increased their metabolic rate by up to 15 per cent. Another study in the same journal showed that after a month of exposure to mild cold, participants had a 42 per cent increase in brown fat volume and a 10 per cent increase in fat metabolic activity. I lost almost a stone in just six days and here's the exact list of delicious meals I ate which never left me hungry 'Brown fat is like your body's internal furnace,' Prof Joseph said. 'Unlike normal fat, which stores energy, brown fat burns it. And the colder you get, the harder it works.' Burns more than a workout 2 While a cold shower won't replace a training session, Prof Joseph says it can be surprisingly effective when done consistently. 'A single 30-second cold shower won't magically melt fat, but over time, the effect adds up,' he said. 'It can trigger metabolic changes that make your body more efficient at burning fat, especially when paired with a healthy diet and regular movement.' In fact, some research suggests that regular cold exposure can burn more calories over a week than a few moderate cardio sessions. 'It won't leave you sweating, but it's a great tool for people who want to maximise fat-burning with minimal effort,' he said. 'Plus, it boosts mood, alertness and immune function - so you're getting more than just fat loss.' Prof Joseph recommends starting with 15 to 30 seconds of cold water at the end of your shower, then gradually building up if you can tolerate it. 'It's free, fast, and takes less time than a warm-up,' he added. 'If you want to burn more fat without spending more time exercising, it's a no-brainer.' How to blast belly fat WITHOUT going to the gym or dieting Chew your food This mindfulness trick is used to focus your brain on the food you are eating - how it tastes and feels - rather than scoffing it in a hurry. If the brain does not register that you have eaten, you'll soon crave more food. Avocado a day Eating avocado every day can fight visceral fat in women, which collects around the organs in the stomach and can lead to diabetes, heart attack, and some cancers, according to a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign study of 105 people. Avoid fizzy drinks Losing belly 'fat' may just be a case of preventing bloating, which can be onset by fizzy soft drinks. Instead, keep hydrated with water. Reduce alcohol Alcohol does no favours at all for our health or figures. It is 'empty calories', meaning it contributes to your calorie intake without giving any nutritional benefit. Hangovers can also lead you to eat more fatty foods, while putting you off exercising. Sleep more Various studies have shown that if you're not sleeping well, it can cause weight gain. People are more likely to crave junk food when they are sleep deprived because, not only are they in need of an energy boost, but their appetite hormones are all over the place. Reduce stress Stress causes an imbalance of hormones, particularly cortisol. This hormone has been linked with obesity and excess belly fat. Find ways to reduce your stress to avoid the so-called 'stress belly'.
Daily Mail
27-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
A cancer drug available on the NHS could treat an incurable lung disease that plagues more than 30,000 Britons
A cancer drug available on the NHS could treat an incurable lung disease that plagues more than 30,000 Britons, a study claims. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) occurs when scar tissue builds up in the lungs, causing the walls to stiffen and making it difficult to breathe. The condition primarily affects older adults and leads to a persistent cough, fatigue, weight loss and muscle aches. Symptoms rapidly worsen, and its cause is unknown. Though the scarring can be managed by medications such as antifibrotics, average life expectancy once IPF sets in is just three to five years. However, a group of American scientists claim a cancer drug already used by the Health Service can reverse damage caused by the condition. Ipilimumab blocks the CTLA-4 protein – which suppresses the immune system – to allow the body to better recognise and attack diseased cells. The protein has also been proven to contribute towards lung scarring by negating fibroblast cells, which repair damaged tissue. In IPF sufferers, fibroblasts do not function properly. But ipilimumab can also be administered to aid lung-tissue regeneration, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation reveals. Mice that received the drug intravenously showed much-improved lung-repair ability and recovered faster than those not on the medication. 'This opens up an entirely new direction for potential treatment of IPF,' says lead author Dr Santu Yadav, assistant professor of medicine at the Tulane University School of Medicine. The researchers are hopeful the same 'immune-rejuvenating' approach could also be used to treat Alzheimer's and heart disease.
Telegraph
16-04-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Five high-cholesterol foods you should eat (and what to avoid)
Thankfully, having high cholesterol doesn't necessarily mean you should avoid all cholesterol-rich foods. Recent research has found that specific cholesterol-rich foods, such as full-fat milk, yogurt and aged cheese, might actually improve blood lipid (fat) profiles, and therefore cholesterol levels. First, you must understand why your cholesterol levels are raised in the first place, as Dr Ali Khavandi, a Bath-based consultant interventional cardiologist, explains. 'If you have a genetic predisposition to high blood cholesterol levels, diet has very little influence so medication, such as statins, is usually required,' he says. 'Even for an 'average' person with raised cholesterol who is otherwise healthy, eating low-cholesterol foods is likely to have a limited effect. 'But if you are overweight and have some level of insulin resistance or other associated conditions, you can absolutely impact your cholesterol through dietary intervention, but usually, it comes down to adopting a healthy dietary pattern rather than avoiding certain high cholesterol foods.' Let's break it down. Which high cholesterol foods should you include in your diet – and which are best avoided? Five foods high in dietary cholesterol to include in your diet 1. Cheese Dr Khavandi is clear on this one: 'Everyone thinks that cheese is a disaster. I often hear people say 'my cholesterol is high, so I shouldn't eat cheese', but there's good data that long-fermented cheeses [such as aged cheddar] are beneficial'. While cheese is high in cholesterol, it is also a rich source of vitamins (A, K, B12), minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium), and gut-friendly probiotics. Indeed, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that participants with metabolic syndrome who followed a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet that included 200g of cheese per day had improved blood lipid profiles after four weeks. 2. Eggs Good news for egg lovers: if you have high cholesterol, there's no need to order the egg white omelette. A review of the evidence by Harvard Medical School found that rates of heart attacks, strokes, or other cardiovascular diseases were no higher in people who ate up to one egg per day. The effects of any cholesterol that eggs contain may also be mitigated by the other heart-healthy nutrients, such as selenium and omega-3 fatty acids, they contain, as Dr Khavandi explains: 'I think if you ate lots of eggs then your total cholesterol would probably go up but whether or not that would result in any prognostic problems further down the line is arguable. If you're otherwise healthy then it's unlikely to be an issue.' 3. Red meat This is a slightly more contentious one because red meat is high in saturated fat, which has been shown to increase LDL cholesterol (the 'bad' kind) in the blood, but Dr Khavandi believes this is over-simplifying the issue. 'The received wisdom is that LDL cholesterol is bad, there's a linear relationship with cardiovascular disease and the best thing you can do is reduce it by cutting out saturated fats from your diet, but that model is now outdated,' he says. 'If your cholesterol is high because you are part of that 'metabolic' group, then changing your dietary pattern from high sugar/high carbohydrate to eating minimally processed, satiating foods is far more beneficial. 'Eating a good-quality steak, which is high in protein, improves appetite regulation, which can help bring metabolic disorders under control. It's very similar to what the GLP-1 medications like Ozempic do; they shut off your hunger.' 4. Shellfish Although historically shellfish were a 'watch' food because of their relatively high cholesterol levels, where they differ from most other cholesterol-rich foods is their low fat content. Specifically, the fat they do have is of the heart-healthy omega-3 variety, which is known to protect against the risk of heart disease. The American Heart Association has reversed their advice and now says they can be eaten as part of a heart-friendly diet that is 'more plant-based, including whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables'. 5. Liver For most, avoiding liver is no great hardship, but it is a cheap, nutrient-dense source of protein and several key micronutrients providing a wide range of health benefits, including vitamins A, B12, D, E, K, iron, and copper. In a similar vein to shellfish, even though liver is high in cholesterol, it is low in fat. Heart UK, the cholesterol charity, advises that most people don't need to cut down on the cholesterol that's found in these foods if they're eaten as part of an overall healthy, balanced diet. Three foods to avoid 1. Sugar Excessive sugar consumption, particularly added sugars in ultra-processed foods, is recognised as a major driver of metabolic disorders such as Type 2 diabetes. Metabolic patients often have high cholesterol due to factors such as insulin resistance, high blood sugar, and excess abdominal fat, which lead to increased levels of 'bad' LDL cholesterol and decreased levels of 'good' HDL cholesterol. Unfortunately, hidden sugars are everywhere, and unless you are a food label sleuth, they are hard to avoid, Dr Khavandi urges vigilance: 'A lot of my patients, even with the best motivation, are being tricked by the food industry. They might have a low-fat fruit yogurt as a snack, thinking they are being healthy, but when you look at it, it has four teaspoons of sugar per serving. Moving to a predominantly whole food diet, like the Mediterranean diet, to include plenty of fruit, vegetables, olive oil, oily fish, nuts and seeds, is the best way to improve your lipid profile.' 2. UPFs The unfortunate fallout of the standard NHS advice to avoid saturated fat if you have high cholesterol is that people switch to ultra-processed, low-fat alternatives. Dr Khavandi is not a fan, 'Anything that says light, lighter or low-fat at the supermarket is often a catastrophe for health. If you take the example of low-fat mayonnaise, it will have a whole host of ingredients, including emulsifiers, starch and sugar, and very little in the way of oil or eggs.' Reducing your reliance on UPFs is key to a more integrated approach to health, which focusses on improving overall dietary pattern to combat a whole range of health risks, such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer and dementia. 3. Alcohol Not strictly a food group, but heavy drinking is consistently linked to raised blood lipid levels. Even moderate drinking can disrupt the body's normal metabolic processes, leading to increased fat production and storage and interfering with how the body processes sugar and fats. This contributes not only to elevated cholesterol levels but also to central obesity and high blood pressure, also risk factors for heart disease. Other ways to lower your cholesterol Stop smoking: There is a proven link between quitting smoking and increased beneficial HDL cholesterol levels. Indeed, it's estimated that within a year of quitting, your risk of heart disease is half that of a smoker. Exercise. A study funded by the British Heart Foundation in 2024 found that the more active you are, the more saturated fat your muscles use for energy. This means less is circulating in the body, which lowers your non-HDL cholesterol levels. Manage stress: A large Spanish study of 90,000 workers found that those with job stress were more likely to suffer from abnormally high levels of LDL cholesterol and low levels of HDL cholesterol. Whilst quitting your job may not be an option, practising yoga and doing regular breathing exercises are two excellent ways to reduce stress. FAQs What is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a fat (or lipid) found in all cells. It's a key component of cell membranes, is used to make hormones, helps the body make vitamin D and is essential in the production of bile acids, which help digest dietary fats. Most of our cholesterol does not come from nutritional sources, it's produced by the liver, which also tightly regulates the types and amounts of cholesterol in the blood. What are the different types of cholesterol, and which ones are unhealthy? There is, in fact, only one type of cholesterol, but there are various types of cholesterol 'carriers', called lipoproteins, that transport it through the body. VLDL (very low-density lipoprotein) and LDL (low-density lipoprotein) are two carriers that can potentially deposit cholesterol in the arteries, increasing your risk of heart disease and stroke. HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is the 'good' type of lipoprotein as it collects up excess cholesterol and transports it back to the liver for conversion to bile acids or to be excreted. Am I at risk of health issues if my blood cholesterol is raised? High blood cholesterol is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is diagnosed via a blood test. If your lipid profile is deemed high risk, statin medication would usually be recommended, but Dr Khavandi says that it's now possible to offer a more personalised approach using modern screening and imaging, 'I'll often see patients with high cholesterol but when we scan them their arteries are perfect, so for that group I probably wouldn't recommend statins.'
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Men Have Higher Risk of Parkinson's, And We May Finally Know Why
The risk of developing Parkinson's disease is twice as high in men as in women, and new research points to a potential reason why: a normally benign protein in the brain. PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1) protein is not normally a threat, and is important in regulating cellular energy use in the brain. However, the new research shows that in some Parkinson's cases, the immune system mistakes PINK1 for an enemy, attacking brain cells that express the protein. According to the study, led by a team from the La Jolla Institute for Immunology in California, the PINK1-related damage done by the immune system's T cells is much more widespread and aggressive in the brains of men than women. "The sex-based differences in T cell responses were very, very striking," says immunologist Alessandro Sette, from the La Jolla Institute for Immunology. "This immune response may be a component of why we see a sex difference in Parkinson's disease." Using blood samples from Parkinson's patients, the researchers tested the response of the T cells in the blood against a variety of proteins previously linked to Parkinson's – finding that PINK1 stood out. In the male Parkinson's patients, the research team noticed a six-fold increase in T cells targeting PINK1-tagged brain cells, compared with healthy brains. In the female Parkinson's patients, there was only a 0.7-fold increase. Some of the same researchers had previously found something similar happening with T cells and the alpha-synuclein protein. However, these reactions weren't common to all Parkinson's brains, which prompted the hunt for more antigens – substances that trigger immune responses. As is always the case with research of this type, once experts know more about how a disease gets started and how it progresses, that opens up new opportunities for finding ways to put a halt to the damage. "We could potentially develop therapies to block these T cells, now that we know why the cells are targeting in the brain," says immunologist Cecilia Lindestam Arlehamn, from the La Jolla Institute for Immunology. Further down the line, being able to spot these PINK1-sensitive T cells in blood samples could lead to Parkinson's disease being diagnosed at an earlier stage – which again helps with treatment and patient support. While we're still waiting to discover a cure for Parkinson's disease, constant progress is being made in understanding the risk factors involved in its development, and new approaches to tackling it. "We need to expand to perform more global analysis of the disease progression and sex differences – considering all the different antigens, disease severities, and time since disease onset," says Sette. The research has been published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. An Ancient Disease Has Reappeared in The US. This Could Be Why. Daylight Saving Disrupts Millions of Americans. There's a Better Way. This Common Blood Pressure Drug Extends Lifespan And Slows Aging in Animals
