IRB Lleida researchers describe new mechanisms modifiers amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

The estradiol, a major female sex hormones might explain gender differences in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a degenerative neuromuscular disease that affects three times more men than women. At least succeeds in vitro cells, according to researchers tested the Biomedical Research Institute of Lleida Foundation Dr. Pifarré (IRBLleida) and the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lleida (UDL). The first results were published in the scientific journal Acta Neuropathologica Communications. The authors of the study warn that need continuing to investigate to confirm the possible role of hormones and fatty acids in the early detection and treatment of disease.

The researchers analyzed energy production spinal cord cells in vitro and in mice. Mitochondria of neurons, some organelles that provide energy to the cells begin to malfunction before ALS manifests itself in the form of muscle weakness. The team of Reinald Pamplona, Manuel Portero, Boada and Jordi Ayala Victoria has found that estradiol disappear differences in cellular energy production associated with the disease in neuronal cultures.

Also have to do other markers of oxidative stress and fatty acid composition of the spinal cord. For example, female mice have higher levels docosahexaeonic acid (DHA). Therefore, "we should deepen the studies to develop early detection and new treatments" for the disease, "explains Professor Portero.

In connection with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the team of the Faculty of Medicine has also described new mechanisms by which motor neurons are bankrupt publishing it in the international journal Neurobiology of Disease. In collaboration with the Department of Food Technology of the University of Lleida, the Institute of Neuropathology Bellvitge Biomedical Research Center Neurodegeneratives- CIBERNED Disease Network and the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, the researchers studied role of certain proteins in the production of DHA, essential for the membrane of the neurons in their protection and in their communication with other neurons in the network. Depletion of this fatty acid causes neuronal dysfunction associated with ALS.

These investigations have had funding from the European Union, the Ministry of Science and Innovation and the Government, as well as the support of the Spanish Foundation for the Promotion of Research Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (FUNDELA), Fundació Miquel Valls ( family Jack van den Hoek) organizing Redel patients and their families and the Instituto Carlos III, under the Ministry of Health.