X-Message-Number: 23363
Date: Mon, 2 Feb 2004 17:16:18 -0500 (GMT-05:00)
From:  brent thomas <>
Subject: interesting research: re reoxygenation


interesting new research about cells loaded with exta enzymes to prevent 
cellular apoptosis due to receiving oxygen after a long suspension. - would be 
interesting to see tests of preloaded cellular structures subjected to cryonic 
temperatures and rewarming with this particular enzyme load - perhaps a course 
of simple gene-mod loading before cryonic immersion would allow a better result 
upon rewarming.

details from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/01/040130075914.htm

Death-defying Approach Devised By Penn Scientists To Prevent Cell Apoptosis

Philadelphia, PA - When recovering from a heart attack or stroke, the body must 
restore blood flow in order to resupply cells with oxygen. Ironically, the 
process of reoxygenation - so necessary for full recovery - also generates 
reactive oxygen species (ROS), molecules that induce apoptosis, or cellular 
death. Now, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and
the University of Iowa have identified a biochemical strategy to block ROS - 
which effectively prevents cellular damage and death. Their study is published 
in February's Proceedings of the Natural Academy of Sciences.

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"We've known that oxidation can induce apoptosis," said Toshinori Hoshi, PhD, 
Associate Professor in Penn's Department of Physiology. "We also knew that the 
enzyme methionine sulfoxide reductase type A - or MSRA - is a catalyst in 
reversing the oxidation of the amino acid methionine, an important building 
block of proteins."


After using gene-transfer technology to insert extra MRSA into cells, the 
researchers noticed that the enzyme-packed cells were now protected from the 
damaging effects of ROS. "Not only were cells protected by an overproduction of 
MRSA, but our tests showed that the adverse oxidation process was reversed," 
explains Hoshi.


"Oxidative stress is thought to be associated with many medical conditions, such
as diseases related to aging and the heart," continues Hoshi. "Given our 
findings, it may be possible to prevent such stress, and thereby treat disease, 
by boosting the amount of MSRA in the body so its protein-repair properties are 
unleashed."


This research is funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Editor's Note: The original news release can be found here.

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