Researchers at Karolinska Institute in Sweden have developed a new type of drug molecule that inhibits inflammation. The drug acts on a protein that is believed to be the cause for how inflammation arises in cells. This discovery was a result of Dr. Thomas Helleday's work on how DNA is repaired by the body. His initial objective during his research was to fight cancer by targeting damage to the tumor cells DNA. When developing a molecule for inhibiting the enzyme that repairs oxygen damage to DNA, the researchers found out that it also lowered inflammation. They discovered that the enzyme OGG1 triggers inflammation. Thus, the inhibitor they had developed blocks the release of inflammatory proteins, such as TNF alpha. In preliminary trials on mice with pulmonary disease, the researchers identified a decrease in inflammation. They are now developing a specific inhibitor for OGG1 and examining whether it can lead to new treatments for inflammatory diseases such as Crohn's Disease.
First, this shows that you should interpret and examine all of your data because you never know when you will discover something new by accident! On another note, one of my best friends suffers from Crohn's disease daily, so it is nice to hear they are developing different types of drugs that could potentially be effective in treating Crohn's. He currently takes a Humira shot every week to help treat his disease but it often leaves him feeling sick for a few days. It would be interesting to see if this new treatment has any side effects that are similar to Humira and to see if it could possible be a once of year kind of treatment. It could also be possible that it is a possible cure because if the inhibitor never degrades, then it would just continuously inhibit the inflammatory proteins.
Awesome topic choice! I find it interesting how this article was able to shed light on the negative effects of overactive inflammation. In most instances, I feel as if inflammation would be perceived in the positive light for it is the body's natural response to injury and it helps the body fight off invading bacteria. However, when posed with an overactive inflammatory response one will then realize that it could trigger allergies or addition painfull effects. This discovery could certainly be helpful in treatments of other autoimmune diseases such as arthritis.
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