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Drugs, Vaccines and Therapeutics
by ruth on February 23, 2007
An animal study published in the Journal of Neuroscience suggests that the pregnancy hormone prolactin spontaneously increases myelin, thus enhancing signaling within the nervous system, and help repair damage in the brain and spinal cord. This indicates that the hormone may have potential as a therapeutic for treating multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disease characterized by loss of myelin protecting the nerve fibers of the central nervous system.
Further tests would have to be conducted to verify the effect of prolactin in animal models of MS, and if results are promising human clinical trials may be conducted.
Source: SFN
Comparing pregnant and virgin female mice of the same age, Weiss's team counted hundreds of cells in their brains and spinal cords. They found that the pregnant mice had twice as many myelin-producing cells, called oligodendrocytes, and continued to generate new ones during pregnancy. After giving birth, these mice also had 50 percent more myelin coating their nerve cells.
The researchers also showed that pregnancy repaired nerve cells faster where the myelin had been chemically destroyed: Pregnant female mice had twice as much new myelin two weeks after damage. Finally, they found that prolactin mimicked the effects of pregnancy, increasing both myelin production and repair. This suggests prolactin, which increases during pregnancy, may help induce the making of new myelin.
Further tests would have to be conducted to verify the effect of prolactin in animal models of MS, and if results are promising human clinical trials may be conducted.
Source: SFN
Trackback: http://publish.creative-weblogging.com/publish/mt-tb.pl/54862
Mr Wong
Vote for Prolactin Hormone May Treat Multiple Sclerosis:
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Rating: 8.00 out of 7 vote(s) cast.
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Response from:
JANET LEDUC
(04/01/07 2:33am)
I have had MS for 17 years and the only time I had an improvement was when I was pregnant. I have been asking my neurologists for years to simulate pregnancy in my body. I now take estriol which is a hormone increased during pregnancy, but has no known side effects. I would love to try prolactin.
Response from:
Joyce Mirfin
(04/25/07 10:48am)
I have been an MS patient for over 23 years and have just recently become limited physically. I would be most interested in trying prolactin, especially since I am unable to use other (injectible) treatments.
Response from:
susan
(02/17/10 10:43pm)
Does anyone know what the dose of prolactin for females is?
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