BBC NEWS
Brain blood vessels clue to MS Wednesday, 10 February 2010
More than 55% of multiple sclerosis patients have been found to have constricted blood vessels in their brains, a US study says.
The preliminary results are from the first 500 patients enrolled in a trial at the University of Buffalo.
The abnormality was found in 56.4% of MS patients and also in 22.4% of healthy controls.
The MS Society said it was intriguing but not proof that this caused MS - as one leading expert claims.
Testing theory
The New York researchers were testing a theory from Italian researcher, Dr Paolo Zamboni who claims that 90% of MS is caused by narrowed veins.
“ These results are intriguing but it is important to remember that although people with MS may show evidence of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency in screening studies, there's no proof as yet that this phenomenon is a cause of MS, nor that treating it would have an effect on MS ”
Dr Doug Brown, MS Society
He says the restricted vessels prevent the blood from draining fast enough and injure the brain by causing a build up of iron which leads to MS.
He has already widened the blockages in a handful of patients including his wife.
MS is a long-term inflammatory condition of the central nervous system which affects the transfer of messages from the nervous system to the rest of the body.
The Buffalo team used Doppler ultrasound to scan the patients in different body postures to view the direction of venous blood flow.
The 500 MS patients, both adults and children, also underwent MRI scans of the brain to measure iron deposits in surrounding areas of the brain.
The full results will be presented at an American neurology conference in April.
There were 161 healthy controls.
'Cautious optimism'
Robert Zivadinov who led the study at the University of Buffalo, said he was "cautiously optimistic and excited" about the preliminary data.
"They show that narrowing of the extracranial veins, at the very least, is an important association in multiple sclerosis.
"We will know more when the MRI and other data collected in this study are available."
Dr Doug Brown, Biomedical Research Manager at the MS Society, said: "These results are intriguing but it is important to remember that although people with MS may show evidence of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency in screening studies, there's no proof as yet that this phenomenon is a cause of MS, nor that treating it would have an effect on MS.
"The next step is to determine what this actually means for MS and an investigation into whether there's any potential therapeutic benefit from treatment will be pivotal for this novel theory."
Story from BBC
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8509830.stm Video
Showing posts with label bbc. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bbc. Show all posts
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Is Vitamin C a cure for the Big C? Could ascorbic acid cure cancer?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7540822.stm
Just in case anyone missed this.
Vitamin C 'slows cancer growth'
TREATMENT IMPACT
See the impact of vitamin C treatment on mice with tumours. Warning: the image may disturb.
Enlarge Image
An injection of a high dose of vitamin C may be able to hold back the advance of cancers, US scientists claim.
The vitamin may start a destructive chain reaction within the cancer cell, they add.
The jab halved the size of brain, ovarian and pancreatic tumours in mice, reported the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
However, Cancer Research UK said other studies suggested large vitamin C doses may interfere with cancer treatment.
This is encouraging work but it's at a very early stage because it involves cells grown in the lab and mice
Dr Alison Ross
Cancer Research UK
Earlier research by the team at the National Institutes of Health in Maryland had suggested that the vitamin, also called ascorbate, could kill cancer cells in the laboratory.
After these successful tests in mice, they are now suggesting that the treatment be considered for human use at similar levels.
The dose they employed - up to four grams per kilo of bodyweight - was far greater than any that could be achieved using diet or vitamin pills, as the digestive system does not absorb more than a fixed amount taken orally.
The mice were bred to have malfunctioning immune systems, then injected with human cancer cells, which as a result, grew quickly into large tumours. The vitamin was then injected into their abdominal cavity.
Tumour growth and weight fell by between 41% and 53%, and while in untreated mice, the disease spread rapidly to involve other body parts, no such spread was seen in the vitamin C-treated animals.
The researchers wrote: "These pre-clinical data provide the first firm basis for advancing pharmacologic ascorbate in cancer treatment in humans."
Peroxide bomb
The treatment works because a tumour cell is chemically different to a healthy cell.
The vitamin C reacts with this chemical make-up, producing enough hydrogen peroxide to kill the cell, while leaving healthy cells unscathed.
However, Dr Alison Ross, from Cancer Research UK said that much more work would have to be done to see if vitamin C could be a viable treatment.
"This is encouraging work but it's at a very early stage because it involves cells grown in the lab and mice.
"There is currently no evidence from clinical trials in humans that injecting or consuming vitamin C is an effective way to treat cancer.
"Some research even suggests that high doses of antioxidants can make cancer treatment less effective, reducing the benefits of radiotherapy and chemotherapy."
Earlier from the BBC:
Vitamin C 'helps to fight cancer'
oranges
High dose vitamin C injected into the bloodstream help fight cancer
High doses of vitamin C injected into the bloodstream may help fight cancer, a US study says.
Scientists found that intravenous vitamin C in the form of ascorbate killed cancer cells in lab tests.
The findings contradict earlier studies, but the Maryland-based Institutes of Health said they had looked at lower-dose oral vitamin C.
Cancer experts said the "overwhelming" evidence still suggested vitamin C was not an effective treatment.
Studies in the 1970s first suggested the administration of high doses of vitamin C could help treat cancer, but later research did not back this up.
There are many substances that have been shown to kill cancer cells in the lab but failed to fulfil that promise when tested in people
Henry Scowcroft, of Cancer Research UK
In the latest study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers conducted laboratory experiments which simulated clinical infusions of vitamin C on a range of nine cancer and four normal cells.
In five of the cancer lines, there was a 50% decrease in cell survival, while normal cells were unaffected.
A more detailed look at lymphoma cells - which were especially sensitive to ascorbate - showed they were killed completely.
The effective dose was around four millimoles, a concentration much higher than an oral dose but easily achievable by intravenous infusion.
Cells
Researchers were unable to explain what caused the results, although they did note the treatment led to the formation of hydrogen peroxide, a chemical known to be toxic to cells.
Alternative medicine practitioners have already administered high doses of intravenous ascorbate.
Lead researcher Dr Mark Levine said the treatment would have to be proved safe before being given to patients.
But he added: "Ascorbate as a potential cancer therapeutic agent has a controversial and emotionally charged past."
Henry Scowcroft, senior information officer at Cancer Research UK, said despite the findings, the "overwhelming" evidence still pointed to vitamin C not being an effective treatment.
"This work is at a very early stage. There are many substances that have been shown to kill cancer cells in the lab, but failed to fulfil that promise when tested in people.
"But we do know that eating a healthy, balanced diet, including plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, is an effective way to reduce the risk of getting cancer in the first place." http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4238250.stm
Earlier from the BBC:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4238250.stm
Vitamin C 'helps to fight cancer'
oranges
High dose vitamin C injected into the bloodstream help fight cancer
High doses of vitamin C injected into the bloodstream may help fight cancer, a US study says.
Scientists found that intravenous vitamin C in the form of ascorbate killed cancer cells in lab tests.
The findings contradict earlier studies, but the Maryland-based Institutes of Health said they had looked at lower-dose oral vitamin C.
Cancer experts said the "overwhelming" evidence still suggested vitamin C was not an effective treatment.
Studies in the 1970s first suggested the administration of high doses of vitamin C could help treat cancer, but later research did not back this up.
There are many substances that have been shown to kill cancer cells in the lab but failed to fulfil that promise when tested in people
Henry Scowcroft, of Cancer Research UK
In the latest study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers conducted laboratory experiments which simulated clinical infusions of vitamin C on a range of nine cancer and four normal cells.
In five of the cancer lines, there was a 50% decrease in cell survival, while normal cells were unaffected.
A more detailed look at lymphoma cells - which were especially sensitive to ascorbate - showed they were killed completely.
The effective dose was around four millimoles, a concentration much higher than an oral dose but easily achievable by intravenous infusion.
Cells
Researchers were unable to explain what caused the results, although they did note the treatment led to the formation of hydrogen peroxide, a chemical known to be toxic to cells.
Alternative medicine practitioners have already administered high doses of intravenous ascorbate.
Lead researcher Dr Mark Levine said the treatment would have to be proved safe before being given to patients.
But he added: "Ascorbate as a potential cancer therapeutic agent has a controversial and emotionally charged past."
Henry Scowcroft, senior information officer at Cancer Research UK, said despite the findings, the "overwhelming" evidence still pointed to vitamin C not being an effective treatment.
"This work is at a very early stage. There are many substances that have been shown to kill cancer cells in the lab, but failed to fulfil that promise when tested in people.
"But we do know that eating a healthy, balanced diet, including plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, is an effective way to reduce the risk of getting cancer in the first place."
Just in case anyone missed this.
Vitamin C 'slows cancer growth'
TREATMENT IMPACT
See the impact of vitamin C treatment on mice with tumours. Warning: the image may disturb.
Enlarge Image
An injection of a high dose of vitamin C may be able to hold back the advance of cancers, US scientists claim.
The vitamin may start a destructive chain reaction within the cancer cell, they add.
The jab halved the size of brain, ovarian and pancreatic tumours in mice, reported the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
However, Cancer Research UK said other studies suggested large vitamin C doses may interfere with cancer treatment.
This is encouraging work but it's at a very early stage because it involves cells grown in the lab and mice
Dr Alison Ross
Cancer Research UK
Earlier research by the team at the National Institutes of Health in Maryland had suggested that the vitamin, also called ascorbate, could kill cancer cells in the laboratory.
After these successful tests in mice, they are now suggesting that the treatment be considered for human use at similar levels.
The dose they employed - up to four grams per kilo of bodyweight - was far greater than any that could be achieved using diet or vitamin pills, as the digestive system does not absorb more than a fixed amount taken orally.
The mice were bred to have malfunctioning immune systems, then injected with human cancer cells, which as a result, grew quickly into large tumours. The vitamin was then injected into their abdominal cavity.
Tumour growth and weight fell by between 41% and 53%, and while in untreated mice, the disease spread rapidly to involve other body parts, no such spread was seen in the vitamin C-treated animals.
The researchers wrote: "These pre-clinical data provide the first firm basis for advancing pharmacologic ascorbate in cancer treatment in humans."
Peroxide bomb
The treatment works because a tumour cell is chemically different to a healthy cell.
The vitamin C reacts with this chemical make-up, producing enough hydrogen peroxide to kill the cell, while leaving healthy cells unscathed.
However, Dr Alison Ross, from Cancer Research UK said that much more work would have to be done to see if vitamin C could be a viable treatment.
"This is encouraging work but it's at a very early stage because it involves cells grown in the lab and mice.
"There is currently no evidence from clinical trials in humans that injecting or consuming vitamin C is an effective way to treat cancer.
"Some research even suggests that high doses of antioxidants can make cancer treatment less effective, reducing the benefits of radiotherapy and chemotherapy."
Earlier from the BBC:
Vitamin C 'helps to fight cancer'
oranges
High dose vitamin C injected into the bloodstream help fight cancer
High doses of vitamin C injected into the bloodstream may help fight cancer, a US study says.
Scientists found that intravenous vitamin C in the form of ascorbate killed cancer cells in lab tests.
The findings contradict earlier studies, but the Maryland-based Institutes of Health said they had looked at lower-dose oral vitamin C.
Cancer experts said the "overwhelming" evidence still suggested vitamin C was not an effective treatment.
Studies in the 1970s first suggested the administration of high doses of vitamin C could help treat cancer, but later research did not back this up.
There are many substances that have been shown to kill cancer cells in the lab but failed to fulfil that promise when tested in people
Henry Scowcroft, of Cancer Research UK
In the latest study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers conducted laboratory experiments which simulated clinical infusions of vitamin C on a range of nine cancer and four normal cells.
In five of the cancer lines, there was a 50% decrease in cell survival, while normal cells were unaffected.
A more detailed look at lymphoma cells - which were especially sensitive to ascorbate - showed they were killed completely.
The effective dose was around four millimoles, a concentration much higher than an oral dose but easily achievable by intravenous infusion.
Cells
Researchers were unable to explain what caused the results, although they did note the treatment led to the formation of hydrogen peroxide, a chemical known to be toxic to cells.
Alternative medicine practitioners have already administered high doses of intravenous ascorbate.
Lead researcher Dr Mark Levine said the treatment would have to be proved safe before being given to patients.
But he added: "Ascorbate as a potential cancer therapeutic agent has a controversial and emotionally charged past."
Henry Scowcroft, senior information officer at Cancer Research UK, said despite the findings, the "overwhelming" evidence still pointed to vitamin C not being an effective treatment.
"This work is at a very early stage. There are many substances that have been shown to kill cancer cells in the lab, but failed to fulfil that promise when tested in people.
"But we do know that eating a healthy, balanced diet, including plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, is an effective way to reduce the risk of getting cancer in the first place." http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4238250.stm
Earlier from the BBC:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4238250.stm
Vitamin C 'helps to fight cancer'
oranges
High dose vitamin C injected into the bloodstream help fight cancer
High doses of vitamin C injected into the bloodstream may help fight cancer, a US study says.
Scientists found that intravenous vitamin C in the form of ascorbate killed cancer cells in lab tests.
The findings contradict earlier studies, but the Maryland-based Institutes of Health said they had looked at lower-dose oral vitamin C.
Cancer experts said the "overwhelming" evidence still suggested vitamin C was not an effective treatment.
Studies in the 1970s first suggested the administration of high doses of vitamin C could help treat cancer, but later research did not back this up.
There are many substances that have been shown to kill cancer cells in the lab but failed to fulfil that promise when tested in people
Henry Scowcroft, of Cancer Research UK
In the latest study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers conducted laboratory experiments which simulated clinical infusions of vitamin C on a range of nine cancer and four normal cells.
In five of the cancer lines, there was a 50% decrease in cell survival, while normal cells were unaffected.
A more detailed look at lymphoma cells - which were especially sensitive to ascorbate - showed they were killed completely.
The effective dose was around four millimoles, a concentration much higher than an oral dose but easily achievable by intravenous infusion.
Cells
Researchers were unable to explain what caused the results, although they did note the treatment led to the formation of hydrogen peroxide, a chemical known to be toxic to cells.
Alternative medicine practitioners have already administered high doses of intravenous ascorbate.
Lead researcher Dr Mark Levine said the treatment would have to be proved safe before being given to patients.
But he added: "Ascorbate as a potential cancer therapeutic agent has a controversial and emotionally charged past."
Henry Scowcroft, senior information officer at Cancer Research UK, said despite the findings, the "overwhelming" evidence still pointed to vitamin C not being an effective treatment.
"This work is at a very early stage. There are many substances that have been shown to kill cancer cells in the lab, but failed to fulfil that promise when tested in people.
"But we do know that eating a healthy, balanced diet, including plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, is an effective way to reduce the risk of getting cancer in the first place."
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