Augusta University Discovers How Nrf2 Activator Preserves Sight in Retinal Degeneration Model

“We are very, very pleased that we can now explore the mechanisms,”, mentioned Dr. Sylvia Smith, chair of the Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University and co-director of the James and Jean Culver Vision Discovery Institute at AU.

Reversal of persistent fibrosis in aging by targeting nox4-Nrf2 redox imbalance – Sciencemag.org

This is a promising study because the current treatments of pathological and cystic fibrosis are costly and very time consuming. Persistent fibrosis in lungs of aged mice was caused by the loss of cellular redox balance. The mice in the study with low NRF2 expression had a higher incidence of progressive lung disease. Tissues from human lung samples demonstrated this same Nox4-Nrf2 imbalance.

Inflammation: A Major Contributor to Disease and Aging. Can Nrf2 Help Reduce It?

Externally, inflammation can be recognized by redness, swelling and pain. Internally, it is a lot more difficult to to recognize and may well go undetected for long periods of time. The effects of inflammation can also range from minor to chronic. An example of a minor case of inflammation may include bacteria causing an infection such as from a splinter piercing the skin. The more serious chronic inflammation may be a common factor in many age-related diseases such as Diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, cancer or Alzheimer’s.

Spring Cleaning Damaged Proteins with Nrf2: Good for Huntington’s Disease and Other Neurodegenerative Disorders?

The study published in Nature Chemical Biology explains how important it is to quickly clear damaged proteins from neurons. Cell survival may be affected by the speed at which damaged proteins are removed. In Huntington’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders, damaged proteins become misshaped and abnormal.

A New Nrf2 and Diabetes Study Underway

To be more specific regarding protecting the heart, this project investigates the effects of NRF2 on diabetic myocardial complications (diabetic cardiomyopathy).  When the results are presented, there will be an answer to whether Nrf2 is capable of preventing diabetes-induced oxidative and nitrosative stress and the resulting progression of diabetic cardiomyopathy.

New Grant Issued for Nrf2 and Epilepsy Prevention Study

The research team will be using techniques to compare which of the two approaches is the most effective at preventing seizure-induced neuronal death and study longer-term consequences. Approach A will inhibit a well know ROS producing enzyme known as NADPH oxidase, and approach B enhance the activity of Nuclear factor eythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2 – a key regulator of antioxidant defenses). Their research will study whether the therapies (alone and in combination) can prevent seizures following a brain trauma, and are effective in preserving memory. This study hopes to identify new treatments to prevent seizures and reduce damage to the brain.

Nrf2 Benefits for Weight-loss, Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome

The research team will be using techniques to compare which of the two approaches is the most effective at preventing seizure-induced neuronal death and study longer-term consequences. Approach A will inhibit a well know ROS producing enzyme known as NADPH oxidase, and approach B enhance the activity of Nuclear factor eythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2 – a key regulator of antioxidant defenses). Their research will study whether the therapies (alone and in combination) can prevent seizures following a brain trauma, and are effective in preserving memory. This study hopes to identify new treatments to prevent seizures and reduce damage to the brain.

Review: Nrf2, a multi-organ protector?

The paper claims that humans are bombarded by wide variety of toxic insults each and every day. Toxins such as carcinogens, electrophiles, reactive oxygen species, diesel exhaust, inflammation, calcium disturbance, UV light, and cigarette smoke. They also state that “many studies have shown that NRF2 is crucial in protecting a variety of tissues such as lung, liver, kidney, stomach, small intestine, central nervous system, splenocytes, macrophages, erythrocytes, and retinal epithelia.”

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