Research team from University of Malagain collaboration with the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia in Italy, in their studies on mice showed that the action of a hormone from the family insulin prevents the onset of disease symptoms Parkinson’s disease for its antioxidant and neuroprotective effects on cells, preventing cell death in certain areas of the brain.
The work confirms that in sick mice According to a note from the Discover Foundation of the Department of University Research and Innovation, treatment with this substance reduces neuronal damage, mortality and improves motor coordination, balance and learning ability.
One of the possible reasons cell death And neurodegeneration In Parkinson’s disease, this is oxidative stress, which leads to dysfunction of the mitochondria, which are responsible for producing most of the energy needed for cell function. However, the exact mechanisms are still unknown. For this reason, one of the areas of research that experts are pursuing is to understand what the degenerative process is and to find compounds that reverse its effects.
The role that Hormone IGF-II, or insulin-like growth factor type II, which plays several roles in the human body related to growth and development. It belongs to a group of proteins that have structural and functional similarities to insulin, which is responsible for regulating glucose levels in the body. In an article published in the magazine Journal of Advanced Researchexperts from both universities suggest this as a goal for Parkinson’s treatment.
The study is included in the line of research that led to patent “Treatment of Parkinson’s disease”, in which the inventors demonstrate the effectiveness of this hormone as an inhibitor of the effects of MPP+, a substance that mimics disease and its degenerative effects on cells. The same license includes a laboratory method to search for other substances that may be useful in the treatment or prevention of parkinsonism and similar problems.
At work they confirm that IGF-II It helps regulate certain processes in cells, preventing their destruction and death. “In our experiments we found that this hormone protects DNA and improves the functioning of mitochondria, which are like cellular batteries. This prevents the formation of harmful substances and helps proteins act as they should,” says Maria García, professor at the University of Malaga, responsible for this line of research and author of the paper.
Alliances that work
When a hormone is released in the body, it travels through the bloodstream and looks for certain receptors to bind to – proteins that act as switches. Each hormone has a specific set recipients. Once they bind and are activated, a series of events are triggered within the cell that lead to a specific biological response.
In the case of IGF-II, its main receptor is the insulin-like growth factor type II receptor (IGF-IIr). When they connect, a cascade of signals occurs inside the cell, affecting processes such as cell growthdifferentiation and survival.
Experts found that the presence of IGF-II in cultures leads to increased expression of the enzyme Chk1, which plays an important role in regulating the cell cycle and the response to DNA damage. In particular, it helps maintain the integrity of genetic material and prevent the proliferation of damaged cells. On the other hand, they noticed that this hormone promotes the association mitochondria with a protein called mitofilinwhich plays a decisive role in its structural stability and promotes adaptation to the metabolic needs of the cell.
If a cell requires more energy, such as during exercise or stressful situations, mitochondria can adapt by increasing their metabolic activity and ability to produce energy. One could say that this protein is the “store manager” this changes the structure to control the amount of energy they produce and the amount of nutrients they need to produce an appropriate response. In addition, it is responsible for eliminating damaged mitochondria.
Thus, they confirm that the union of the hormone with its receptor promotes cell regeneration and prevents degeneration. In fact, previous studies have confirmed its action as a liver and neuronal protector in aged rats. Experts intend to expand and confirm the results on human cells from biobanks and patients with Parkinson’s disease. They are also continuing to investigate other recipients who may have been involved.