Two drugs show promise in rejuvenating lung epithelial progenitor cells damaged by COPD (Cheap misoprostol restored the regenerative capacity of the epithelial progenitor cells)

Medical Xpress / Science Advances ^ | Mar. 24, 2022 | Bob Yirka / Xinhui Wu et al / Sean M. Fortier et al

[ConservativeMind]

A team reports that two drugs show promise in rejuvenating lung epithelial progenitor cells damaged by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In their study, the group identified certain proteins involved in epithelial generation for targeting with prostanoids and tested them under different scenarios.

COPD is a disease of the lungs that develops when the immune system overreacts to conditions, such as smoke inhalation, and damages epithelial progenitor cells in the lungs. The job of epithelial progenitor cells is to produce new cells lining the lungs to keep them healthy. In their absence, patients experience shortness of breath and excess mucus production. Therapies have been developed to reduce the symptoms of COPD, but there is no cure. In this new effort, the researchers have identified two drugs that show promise in rejuvenating lung epithelial progenitor cells.

The work involved obtaining and analyzing data from prior studies using human and mouse lung tissue damaged by COPD due to smoking. In comparing the data with similar data from healthy patients, the researchers were able to isolate genes that became less active due to damage, which resulted in less production of two proteins. They then conducted a search of existing drugs that might be used to restore normal levels of the two proteins. They found two: iloprost, which has been used to treat high blood pressure in arteries in the lungs, and mioprostol, which has been used to treat stomach ulcers.

Testing of the drugs in mice showed them both able to restore the regenerative capacity of the progenitor cells. The researchers suggest this is because they worked to restart the circadian clocks in the cells that had been disrupted by long-term exposure to smoke. More work is required to find out if the regenerated cells actually result in new cells lining the lungs.

[ConservativeMind]

Goodrx shows 180 pills of misoprostol at 100 mg for under $40.

Do note that the Medical Xpress author, Bob Yirka, typoed the drug name.

[ConservativeMind]

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[thinden]

Goodrx shows 180 pills of misoprostol at 100 mg for under $40.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I must have missed it?

Is misoprostol the drug used the the test?

Does it work on human COPD?

[Carriage Hill]

Misoprostol, which has been used to treat stomach ulcers, might need to be combined with that other drug, to be effective. I have COPD and wouldn’t mind being part of the trials.

[Jamestown1630]

There were two drugs tested - misoprostol and iloprost. They are both synthetic prostaglandin-type drugs.

In addition to treating ulcers, Misoprostol is used to induce labor, and for abortion.

They both have side effects, some pretty serious.

[ConservativeMind]

“Testing of the drugs in mice showed them both able to restore the regenerative capacity of the progenitor cells.”

They work independent of each other.

[MarMema]

Also long covid I have read.

[HollyB]

Thx for that. mioprostol Is a hormone

[oldvirginian]

I’ve checked the side effects.
There are a couple...

iloprost- an inhalant used with a nebulizer

Side Effects
Hypotension
Vasodilation of blood vessels
Back pain
Cramps
Syncope
Insomnia
Flu-like symptoms
Trismus
Headache disorder
Palpitations
Cough
Nausea
Vomiting
Abnormal hepatic function tests
Pneumonia
Sore tongue
Hemoptysis
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Headache
Dizziness
Jaw pain
Muscle spasms of the jaw
Flushing
Trouble sleeping
Wheezing
Sudden weight gain
Worsening breathing
Chest pain
Fainting
Rash
Itching/swelling
Severe dizziness
Trouble breathing

Misoprostol-tablet taken when using NSAIDs to prevent stomach ulcers

Side Effects
Diarrhea
Abdominal pain with cramps
Constipation
Headache disorder
Nausea
Vomiting
Flatulence
Dyspepsia
Abnormal hepatic function tests
Severe dizziness
Decreased urination
Mental/mood changes
Muscle weakness
Slow/irregular heartbeat
Menstrual problems or irregularities
Unusual/heavy vaginal bleeding
Rash
Itching/swelling
Severe dizziness
Trouble breathing

[Jamestown1630]

Well, it’s a synthetic that’s hormone-like. From what I understand, even natural prostaglandins are not exactly hormones. They are fatty-acid derivatives and found everywhere in the human body, and serve very diverse purposes. They are not produced by glands.

The drugs mentioned in the study are already used for many issues.

Depending on an individual’s circumstances, if the drugs in the study are ever proven useful for COPD in human trials they might be worth the risk of side effects for some people - like any other drug.

[Jamestown1630]

Yes. But some people - probably most - take all kinds of drugs that have long lists of side effects like that, and experience only mild ones, or never experience any of them.

[oldvirginian]

I’m taking five prescription drugs myself. They have a long list of side effects. I stopped taking simvistatin because it was making my neuropathy unbearable.
Everything has side effects, we just have to take our chances that we have the mild ones, if any at all.

[Jamestown1630]

I quit taking a statin after a while, because I seemed to have the muscle damage/weakening that had been reported. After a few weeks off of it, I was fine.

Doc put me on a different one that didn’t bother me.

[Carriage Hill]

I’m on a Combivent 20mcg/100mcg (ipratropium bromide and albuterol) 4-5x per day. It works amazingly well to treat COPD, as an emergency inhaler, if needed.

No side effects for me, after 10yrs.

I sure don’t need any of the side effects you posted! Yuk!

[thinden]

So not near as severe as the covid vaxxes

[NetAddicted]

READ LATER!

[novemberslady]

Thanks for posting this

[ConservativeMind]

The drug is not used to abort on its own:

“This medication is also used in combination with another drug (mifepristone) to end a pregnancy (abortion).”

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-6111/misoprostol-oral/details

[ConservativeMind]

Depending on an individual's circumstances, if the drugs in the study are ever proven useful for COPD in human trials they might be worth the risk of side effects for some people - like any other drug.

I disagree with that sentiment. When you already have an issue that brings you a suffocating death not too far in the distance, yes, I believe you risk the possible side effects, even if studies haven't been done in humans, or if “enough” humans were tested.

I see no sanity in believing death is preferred over possible side effects, especially on something easily trialed for very little money and effort.

[Jamestown1630]

I don’t think we disagree.

There are some who wouldn’t want to risk side-effects. There are others who would find the risk worthwhile.