Of Mice, Men, and MS
A study has revealed that caffeine seems to have a protective element against multiple sclerosis—in mice, at least. Mice who ingested the mouse-equivalent of 6-8 cups of coffee a day (about my average, I’m embarrassed to admit!) were found to be protected from developing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, or EAE, the model for multiple sclerosis used in animals.
How did this happen? It’s all about the adenosine. Adenosine is present in all of our bodies and plays an important part in energy transfer (remember ATP and ADP from Biology-101?). Adenosine also happens to be an inhibitory neurotransmitter believed to play a role in suppressing arousal and promoting sleep (our adenosine levels increase throughout the day).
Caffeine, on the other hand, works by binding to the same receptors that normally welcome adenosine with open arms--thereby reducing adenosine activity and acting instead as a stimulant. That reduction in adenosine activity also leads to an increase in other neurotransmitters, like dopamine and glutamate. That’s why some people (like me!) get that nice feel-good sensation from caffeine.
In other words, adenosine sort of inhibits the central nervous system (CNS), and caffeine effectively inhibits adenosine. Since MS is a disease that involves the immune system’s unwarranted attack on the CNS, exploring something that acts to inhibit the CNS seems like a good call.
So if you suffer from MS, should you head out to your local 7-11 to stock up on Jolt cola? Not so fast.
According to Cornell researcher Dr. Margaret S. Bynoe, this study demonstrates that adenosine receptor signaling is required for immune cells to enter the CNS during the initial development of EAE (remember, that’s the mouse equivalent of multiple sclerosis!), and possibly in MS as well. While this is important because it could eventually lead to the development of adenosine-based therapies to treat MS, the official word is still that those with MS should limit their caffeine intake. So for now, stick to that herbal tea, and be cautious of wacky therapies.
What do any of you with MS or family members with MS think about this fascinating breakthrough?
How did this happen? It’s all about the adenosine. Adenosine is present in all of our bodies and plays an important part in energy transfer (remember ATP and ADP from Biology-101?). Adenosine also happens to be an inhibitory neurotransmitter believed to play a role in suppressing arousal and promoting sleep (our adenosine levels increase throughout the day).
Caffeine, on the other hand, works by binding to the same receptors that normally welcome adenosine with open arms--thereby reducing adenosine activity and acting instead as a stimulant. That reduction in adenosine activity also leads to an increase in other neurotransmitters, like dopamine and glutamate. That’s why some people (like me!) get that nice feel-good sensation from caffeine.
In other words, adenosine sort of inhibits the central nervous system (CNS), and caffeine effectively inhibits adenosine. Since MS is a disease that involves the immune system’s unwarranted attack on the CNS, exploring something that acts to inhibit the CNS seems like a good call.
So if you suffer from MS, should you head out to your local 7-11 to stock up on Jolt cola? Not so fast.
According to Cornell researcher Dr. Margaret S. Bynoe, this study demonstrates that adenosine receptor signaling is required for immune cells to enter the CNS during the initial development of EAE (remember, that’s the mouse equivalent of multiple sclerosis!), and possibly in MS as well. While this is important because it could eventually lead to the development of adenosine-based therapies to treat MS, the official word is still that those with MS should limit their caffeine intake. So for now, stick to that herbal tea, and be cautious of wacky therapies.
What do any of you with MS or family members with MS think about this fascinating breakthrough?
Comment
© 2009 Created by Marie
You need to be a member of WEGO Health to add comments!
Join this Ning Network