Posted on 09/03/2024 6:43:01 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
An enzyme called PGK1 has an unexpectedly critical role in the production of chemical energy in brain cells, according to a preclinical study. The investigators found that boosting its activity may help the brain resist the energy deficits that can lead to Parkinson's disease.
The study presented evidence that PGK1 is a "rate-limiting" enzyme in energy production in the output-signaling branches, or axons, of the dopamine neurons that are affected in Parkinson's disease.
This means that even a modest boost to PGK1 activity can have an outsized effect on restoring the neuronal energy supply in low-fuel conditions—and the researchers showed that this could prevent the axon dysfunction and degeneration normally seen in an animal model of Parkinson's disease.
The new focus on PGK1 originated from recent studies showing that the FDA-approved drug terazosin, which is used to treat prostate enlargement, also happens to enhance PGK1's energy-production activity and has beneficial effects in multiple animal models of Parkinson's.
In these studies, however, terazosin's ability to boost PGK1 activity was quite weak. Further evidence of the drug's proposed role in boosting neural protection came from a retrospective study in humans showing that terazosin significantly reduced the risk of developing Parkinson's.
Dr. Ryan's team helped resolve this issue with sensitive assays that elucidated PGK1's role as an energy producer in neurons. This role is so important that even a small boost to PGK1 activity, such as terazosin provides, is enough to keep axons functioning when levels of glucose, which PGK1 helps convert to basic units of chemical energy, are low. The experiments included low-glucose situations caused by known Parkinson's-linked gene mutations.
To Dr. Ryan, the results add weight to the theory that moderately enhancing the activity of just one enzyme, PGK1, may be enough to reverse this deficit and block the disease process.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
bkmk
Taking it already
How has it impacted your situation?
Blood pressure. It helps me with hypertension,
Thank you
Ping
The VA gives me this drug. Don’t know about Parkinson’s but I only have to pee once a night.
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