MAKING OLD LUNGS LOOK YOUNG AGAIN WITH IBUPROFEN

New research shows that the lungs become more inflammatory with age and that ibuprofen can lower that inflammation

In fact, immune cells from old mouse lungs fought tuberculosis bacteria as effectively as cells from young mice after lung inflammation was reduced by ibuprofen. The ibuprofen had no effect on the immune response to TB in young mice.

This was a rare look at inflammation in the aging lung environment by Ohio State University scientists who study the immune response to TB. The researchers already knew that old mice had a harder time clearing TB from the lungs than young mice, but had not investigated the role of lung inflammation in that response.

"Very few researchers have linked inflammation to infectious disease in old age, even though TB in particular will drive that inflammation even further," said Joanne Turner, associate professor of microbial infection and immunity at Ohio State and senior author of the study.

"The inflammation-associated changes that we saw in the lung were a small finding, but an important finding because the implications are great," Turner said. "We should be able to modify the environment in the lung. If we can reverse the inflammatory environment in a very straightforward way, that is a positive."

The research is published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology.

Most previous research establishing inflammation's links to aging and disease has tested blood for elevated proteins that signal an inflammatory environment. These researchers found the same proteins in the lungs of old mice. Research has already established that the inevitable inflammation that comes with aging is linked to such conditions as Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Though this line of work might someday support the use of ibuprofen as an adjunct therapy for elderly people with TB, Turner emphasized that she and colleagues are not recommending use of the drug for the purposes of lowering inflammation.

"You can actually reduce your inflammation as you age by being lean, eating well and exercising. And we know that in the elderly, people who are fitter live longer," she said. "Inflammation is associated with sickness and frailty."

Though the research was conducted in mice, Turner co-led a previous study indicating that both mouse and human lungs develop the same profile of pro-inflammatory proteins and fatty molecules with age, creating an environment that impairs the immune response to infection.

More than 9 million people worldwide are estimated to have active TB infections, and about 1.4 million people die of tuberculosis each year. "The elderly are most likely to die of TB. They get sicker. They're not the biggest population that gets infected with TB, but they can develop the worst cases," said Turner, also an associate director of Ohio State's Center for Microbial Interface Biology (CMIB).

In this new study, the researchers compared lung cells from old and young mice and found that in the old mice, genes that make three classic pro-inflammatory proteins, called cytokines, were more active in the lungs of old mice. The cytokines are interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a). In addition, immune system cells called macrophages in the lungs from old mice were in an advanced state of readiness to fight an infection -- a status that signals inflammation. Macrophages in young mouse lungs were in a normal, resting state.

In test tubes, the scientists exposed mouse lung macrophages to TB bacteria. The macrophages from old mouse lungs were quicker to absorb the bacteria than were immune cells from young mice, but that initial robust immune response from the cells of old mice could not be sustained.

"A primed macrophage in an old mouse has lots of receptors on its surface that can bind to TB, taking it up and trying to kill it. But what it lacks is the ability to increase the response further," Turner said. "A resting macrophage in a young mouse takes up TB and then can be activated to do something even more effective at killing the bacteria."

Though some elements of the elderly response to TB remain a mystery, this finding suggested that the inflammation in the lungs of elderly mice had the direct effect of reducing the long-term effectiveness of their immune response to TB infection, Turner said.

Old mice in the study were 18 months old -- equivalent to about 65 in human years -- and young mice were 3 months old, a similar age to human young adults.

The researchers gave old and young mice ibuprofen in their food for two weeks and then examined their lung cells. After this diet modification, several pro-inflammatory cytokines in the lungs of old mice had been reduced to levels identical to those in the lungs of young mice, and the macrophages in old mouse lungs were no longer in a primed state.

"There's a trend toward reduced inflammation. Essentially, ibuprofen made the lungs of old mice look young. Putting young mice on ibuprofen had no effect because they had no lung inflammation, which implies the ibuprofen reduced the inflammation and changed the immune response in the old mice," Turner said.

"It might be that ibuprofen works on specific pathways to lower inflammation, and that might help with control of TB."

Turner and colleagues have extended the work to test whether ibuprofen affects the elderly mouse immune response to TB infection.

New Neuropathy Uses For Old Drugs

Today's short post from fiercebiotech.com (see link below) looks at so-called antimuscarinic drugs, currently used in the treatment of a range of conditions from incontinence to ulcers. Researchers have found that these drugs can block receptors which effectively block nerve regeneration, thus extending and increasing the effects of nerve damage. Antimuscarinic drugs block this action and therefore allow nerve regeneration (at least in mice). With me so far? Possibly not but basically it means that nerve receptors that prevent nerves from re-growing after damage (leading to the lifelong pain most of you feel) can be themselves blocked by drugs currently used for other conditions. Nothing new in the neuropathy world here then - most of the drugs we take to dampen our symptoms, are already used for other things and we suffer the side effects as a result. However, this looks promising because if damaged nerves can be allowed to repair themselves, then the symptoms will theoretically reduce considerably. Hope springs eternal!

Peripheral neuropathy could be reversed by FDA-approved class of drugs
by Amirah Al Idrus Jan 19, 2017 

Scientists from the University of Manitoba and UCSD found that a class of already-approved drugs reversed peripheral neuropathy in mouse models.

Treatments for peripheral neuropathy, the numbness and pain most commonly felt in the fingers, arms and legs due to nerve damage, tend to focus on managing pain. But an international team may have found an alternative approach that could potentially reverse symptoms with a class of drugs already in use for other conditions.

Addressing the underlying condition behind neuropathy—such as diabetes—is a major part of alleviating symptoms, but there is no approved treatment that focuses on nerve degeneration. While studying mechanisms involved in neuron growth and regrowth, scientists from UC San Diego and the University of Manitoba, alongside colleagues from St. Boniface Hospital and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, identified a pathway that stunts the outgrowth of neurites, which connect neurons to other neurons.

The activation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors inhibits the growth of sensory neurons. The team found that blocking this pathway reversed the effects of peripheral neuropathy in mouse models of Type 1 and 2 diabetes, HIV and chemotherapy-induced neuropathy. Their findings were published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

The best part? A number of antimuscarinic drugs, such as atropine and pirenzepine, are already approved and on the market for other indications, ranging from incontinence to peptic ulcers. This could lead to a potentially speedy path to clinical use.

Paul Fernyhough of the University of Manitoba and St. Boniface Hospital, Nigel Calcutt of UC San Diego and Lakshmi Kotra of the University of Toronto have cofounded the company WinSanTor to continue working on this approach.

The biotech has exclusively licensed the technology from the researchers and has come up with a repurposed and reformulated version of an already-approved drug, dubbed WST-057. The candidate has prevented and reversed nerve fiber depletion and sensory loss in animal models of peripheral neuropathy, according to a statement.

“An exciting aspect of this work is that these are new uses for old drugs. They have been used in humans for over 20 years with no serious side effects and have an excellent safety profile. We expect Phase 1 trials to progress smoothly with Phase 2 trials arranged and already funded for 2017,” said Fernyhough in a statement.

http://www.fiercebiotech.com/research/peripheral-neuropathy-could-be-reversed-by-fda-approved-class-drugs

Maybe Time To Chuck Out The Old Sneakers And Do Your Feet A Favour

Today's post from bestshoesforwalking.com (see link below) follows on from yesterday's post about the perils of Winter for neuropathy patients and takes a comprehensive look at footwear expressly designed for people with nerve damage in their feet. Now don't expect high fashion here - there are no Jimmy Choos or Louboutins - but let's face it, tottering along the street in 5 inch heels is not for the average neuropathy patient! It may be worth taking a look at this article, if only to see what's on offer and why it may be suitable for you. If you're like me and have 5 year old sneakers that you wear day in day out because they're sooo comfortable, you may not be doing your feet any favours at all and be storing up problems for the long term. On the other hand, orthopedic shoes can be the ugliest footwear on earth but manufacturers are seeing the size of the market and adapting their styles accordingly. The list here is by no means exclusive but may give you an idea of what to look for. By the way; the article may be aimed at the diabetic foot but as we all know, it still applies to all forms of neuropathy in the feet.

Best Shoes For Diabetic Neuropathy in Man and Woman
December 10th 2016 


Walking is considered to be the entire useful exercise, to assist control blood sugar levels, that suits people of all ages. Accordingly, a diabetic person who begins to use walking as a method to control blood sugar need choose a suitable walking diabetic shoe that must meet specific criteria’s, in order to protect his diabetic foot. Below the best shoes for diabetic neuropathy in man and woman review that must be helpful or needed for your health, body and fitness. Below the recommended shoes are help to stop swelling on your feet.
Diabetic Walking Shoes:

For somebody with diabetes, walking can be very beneficial to health. In addition to reducing cholesterol and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, walking for diabetic activity also lowers blood sugar level and develops circulation to the legs and feet. Being a diabetic walker, you will require paying careful consideration to prevent foot problems such as injuries and calluses. Walk-related foot injuries tend to happen when a walker wears a shoe that is unless the incorrect type of shoe or a cheap fit for their feet. Luckily, most diabetic foot problems can be prevented by buying a pair of suitably adjusting diabetic walking shoes and paying proper care to diabetic foot care.

Tips for Purchasing Shoes with Diabetes:

* Have feet measured periodically, because feet turn over time?

* Shop later in the day, because feet swell during the day, particularly if you have heart disease or kidney problems.

* Have shoes matched with the socks you’ll be wearing with these particular shoes? That process you’ll know they will fit accurately.

* The range between your longest toe and the tip of the shoe should be ½ of your thumb’s width, so you have the benefit amount of space to fit your feet.
When you bargain a new pair of shoes, break them in before wearing them for a long period. Wear them for one-two hours, then inspect your feet for any cuts or injuries. Wear them three to four hours the next day, and so on, until they feel comfortable.
Better Shoes Delivers The Best Results:

Only a uniquely designed diabetic walking shoes can protect and not hurt your feet although walking. People with diabetes must be careful when it comes to even a mild activity such as walking, as even the inadequate pressure can lead to an injury when it comes to a sore foot.
When you are walking for a higher period with lower quality shoes, the consequences can be severe, in many cases, simply having fulfilling shoes can help amazingly ease the pressure on your feet.
WHAT IS NEUROPATHY?

Neuropathy is a collection of complications that happen when nerves of the peripheral nervous system are damaged. The condition is referred to as peripheral neuropathy. Neuropathy typically causes pain and numbness in the hands and feet. It can occur from traumatic injuries, infections, metabolic sicknesses, and exposure to toxins. One of the common critical difficulties of neuropathy is diabetes.

Of the American with diabetes, 25% increase foot problems related to the disease. This is essentially due to a condition called neuropathy. Diabetic Neuropathy is a difficulty of diabetes that affects the nerves. The most common figure of diabetic neuropathy is called external neuropathy and attacks the peripheral nerves. Peripheral tissues are the nerves that go out from the brain or spinal cord to the muscles, skin, internal organs and glands. Peripheral neuropathy impairs the proper functioning of these sensory and motor nerves.
Diabetic Neuropathy Foot Care-

Diabetic Neuropathy (diabetic nerve destruction) of the foot is a moderate complexity of diabetes. In its initial stages, diabetic neuropathy may create diabetic foot pain. As the disease advances, it may lead to loss of feeling in diabetic feet. There are many various types of neuropathy, each with different symptoms. The significant common type of neuropathy that affects diabetic feet is peripheral diabetic neuropathy.

If you have been diagnosed with peripheral diabetic neuropathy, you need to make diabetic foot care is the recent priority. As diabetic neuropathy progresses, the consequences of carelessness to the health of your feet will become frequently severe. People with diabetes with advanced diabetic neuropathy of the foot are at the significant risk of developing diabetic foot ulcers and other difficulties that can lead to amputation if left untreated.
Diabetic Neuropathy – Prevention is the Best Remedy:

Prevention is the best method now available for diabetic neuropathy. Though pain and pain can be controlled with medication and medical therapies, impairment of nerve function cannot be reversed. Favorably, once diabetic neuropathy has been detected, steps can be taken to prevent any further improvement of the disorder.

Maintaining average blood sugar levels is the most important step to take when trying to prevent and control diabetic neuropathy. Shielding your feet by using diabetic shoes and diabetic socks at the full time and making healthy lifestyle choices such as not smoking, regularly, eating a balanced diet, exercising and having healthy blood pressure are also key factors in reducing the risk of diabetic neuropathy development or advancement.



Shoes, name Shoes, Image, Shoes, Price
Drew Shoes London Women’s Therapeutic Diabetic Extra Depth Shoe Check Price
Orthofeet Women’s Comfort Diabetic Extra Depth Sandal Check Price
Dr. Comfort Carter Men’s Therapeutic Diabetic Shoe Lycra Velcro Check Price
Dr. Comfort Women’s Bonita Camel Diabetic Slippers- Check Price
Diabetic Relief Slippers Check Price
Orthofeet Chelsea Neuropathy Women’s Comfort Diabetic Shoes Check Price
Acor River Walk Diabetic Walking Shoes Men’s Women’s Black Bone Mocha Check Price
Advance Diabetic Comfort Walking Shoes Men’s Black Check Price
Women’s Extra Diabetic Wide Width Adjustable Slippers Check Price

The Value of a Proper Shoe Fit:

To avoid irritation, stress, and pressure sores, you must need shoes that fit properly. For optimal comfort, make sure your shoe matches the length and width of your foot and that it provides a fitting heel counter. Also, assure that there aren’t any obtrusive seams or stitching inside because this will make rubbing and chafing against your foot. For people with diabetes with an existing foot disease, therapeutic footwear is often prescribed by a doctor or podiatrist and provided by a qualified podiatrist.
Below the best shoes for diabetic neuropathy in man and woman review .

Drew Shoes London Women’s Therapeutic Diabetic Extra Depth Shoe-

The Drew London women’s slip-on shoes give all the comfort features of a Drew so that you can move in and walk with amazing all-day support. Double depth with two detachable insoles creates space for custom orthotics or easily some extra toe room. Drew shoes are breathable, perfect with stretch fabric vamp and greatest padding where you need it most. The shoes offer our best fit still, with a soft, fabric covering. Check Latest Price

Orthofeet Women’s Comfort Diabetic Extra Depth Sandal-

Orthofeet Sarasota Beach Women’s shoes offer anatomical arch support, non-binding comfortable fit, and maximum stability against pressure points. The Gel Orthotic insole with the ergonomic, cushioning foot soften step, enhance resistance, and help natural foot movement. The deep toe box design provides the foot to ease and spreads out naturally for added comfort. Check Latest Price

Dr. Comfort Carter Men’s Therapeutic Diabetic Shoe Lycra Velcro-

Dr. Comfort Carter style shoe for men is a device washable, double-depth diabetic shoe. Built of lightweight extent Lycra with a two-way Velcro closure for more flexibility, this shoe is designed to provide foot damages such as bunions or hammertoes, yet keeps its shape after hours of washing. Our Men’s Double Depth Set features our most popular styles improved with extra depth providing the excellent fit for people who need extra volume. Check Latest Price

Dr. Comfort Women’s Bonita Camel Diabetic Slippers-

A tight heel slipper for women, with a unique rubber outsole perfect for indoor/outdoor usage. This lightweight slipper arrives with a Dr. Comfort gel insert and has a toe box for extra protection. The microfiber upper with dual flexible goring makes it accessible to slip them on your feet. The fleece lined interior assures a snug fit, reducing the chance of abrasions. With a Scotchgard shielded outer material, the slippers are great for going outside to grab the paper or decreasing in your house. Check Latest Price

Diabetic Relief Slippers-

Therapeutic Relief Slippers are a blessing for diabetic foot difficulties, swelling and bunions! Cloud-soft, plush fleece insulation and cushiony memory foam crib feet in comfort and give shock absorption. Hook loop strap closure makes them simple to put on or take off and improve fit. High ankle cut provides you great support. Plus, non-skid protection soles and weather tight P/U nubuck upper lets you use them indoors and outdoors. Check Latest Price

Orthofeet Chelsea Neuropathy Women’s Comfort Diabetic Shoes-

Orthofeet Chelsea Women’s shoes offer anatomical arch assistance, non-binding relaxed fit, and best protection against pressure points. The Easy Slip-on design facilitates easy access to the shoe and an adjusted fit with a Velcro strap closure. The Gel orthotic-insole along by the ergonomic, cushioning sole relax step, enhance stability, and aid natural foot motion. Best Shoes for Neuropathy. The deep toe box design enables the foot to relax and spreads out naturally for continued comfort. Chelsea shoes are managed to help reduce Foot Pain, Arch Pain, Knee Pain, Heel Pain, Forefoot Pain, Metatarsal Pain, Low Back Pain, also to enhance comfort for Diabetic Feet, Arthritic Feet, Plantar Fasciitis, Sensitive Feet, Pronation, Metatarsalgia, Morton’s Neuroma, Bunions, Corns, Hammer Toes. Check Latest Price

Acor River Walk Diabetic Walking Shoes Men’s Women’s Black Bone Mocha-

Acor River Walking Shoes. River Walk shoes combine the science of walking with the comfortable style of modern design, bridging a long-standing gap within functional fit and style. The Line-of-Progression outsole imparts stability and comfort to each phase of the walking cycle. The insole method is lined with a silver technology called X-Static. This shoe has the Tandem Closure System. This system provides you the choice of usual lace-up or two methods of the hook on loop attachment. Check Latest Price

Advance Diabetic Comfort Walking Shoes Men’s Black-

The Men’s Advance Comfort Footwear last fits a medium depth fit for a wide range of feet, and particularly for the low-risk foot in need of just a little more room. Advance Support shoes come with two different insoles for a comfort of adjusting the fit. Check Latest Price

Women’s Extra Diabetic Wide Width Adjustable Slippers –

The Best Extra Wide Fit Women’s Slippers with VELCRO brand fasteners accommodate even the most swollen feet and swollen ankles in fabulous comfort. These Extra Wide Womens Bedroom or House Slippers are excellent for comfortable casual use in the home and home care settings. A great option for elderly with bunions, corns, foot edema, hammer toes, diabetes, and podiatry foot problems. The wide slipper opening features VELCRO brand fastener closures. Skid-resistant non-slip slipper soles. Memory foam insoles for the ultimate in comfort! Terrific for those with disease or lowered hand dexterity. These soft wide width slippers make the real diabetic slipper for women. Extra-roomy deep, wide width slippers for swelled feet and ankles are great for patients in hospitals, post surgery, nursing house patients residents and retirement houses. Check Latest Price

Overall, When buying for diabetic slippers, you need a pair that’s flexible and comes with a flexible closure. The adjustable closure will surely come handy as diabetic feet can eventually change in shape and size. You also need diabetic slippers whose outsoles are beefed up with extra traction; pull tabs at its heels; warm wool uppers; or sturdy construction. If you want to know more about walking shoe, so visit here now- Best shoes for walking

http://bestshoesforwalking.com/best-shoes-diabetic-neuropathy-man-woman/

ARE YOU AS OLD AS WHAT YOU EAT

Researchers from UCL (University College London) have demonstrated how an interplay between nutrition, metabolism and immunity is involved in the process of aging

The two new studies, supported by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), could help to enhance our immunity to disease through dietary intervention and help make existing immune system therapies more effective.

As we age our immune systems decline. Older people suffer from increased incidence and severity of both infections and cancer. In addition, vaccination becomes less efficient with age.

In previous BBSRC funded work, Professor Arne Akbar's group at UCL showed that aging in immune system cells known as 'T lymphocytes' was controlled by a molecule called 'p38 MAPK' that acts as a brake to prevent certain cellular functions.

They found that this braking action could be reversed by using a p38 MAPK inhibitor, suggesting the possibility of rejuvenating old T cells using drug treatment.

In a new study published in Nature Immunology the group shows that p38 MAPK is activated by low nutrient levels, coupled with signals associated with age, or senescence, within the cell.

It has been suspected for a long time that nutrition, metabolism and immunity are linked and this paper provides a prototype mechanism of how nutrient and senescence signals converge to regulate the function of T lymphocytes.

The study also suggests that the function of old T lymphocytes could be reconstituted by blocking one of several molecules involved in the process. The research was conducted at UCL alongside colleagues from Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.

The second paper, published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, showed that blocking p38 MAPK boosted the fitness of cells that had shown signs of aging; improving the function of mitochondria (the cellular batteries) and enhancing their ability to divide.

Extra energy for the cell to divide was generated by the recycling of intracellular molecules, a process known as autophagy. This highlights the existence of a common signaling pathway in old/senescent T lymphocytes that controls their immune function as well as metabolism, further underscoring the intimate association between aging and metabolism of T lymphocytes.

This study was conducted by researchers from UCL, Cancer Research UK, University of Oxford and University of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.

Professor Arne Akbar said: "Our life expectancy at birth is now twice as long as it was 150 years ago and our lifespans are on the increase. Healthcare costs associated with aging are immense and there will be an increasing number of older people in our population who will have a lower quality of life due in part to immune decline. It is therefore essential to understand reasons why immunity decreases and whether it is possible to counteract some of these changes.

"An important question is whether this knowledge can be used to enhance immunity during aging. Many drug companies have already developed p38 inhibitors in attempts to treat inflammatory diseases. One new possibility for their use is that these compounds could be used to enhance immunity in older subjects. Another possibility is that dietary instead of drug intervention could be used to enhance immunity since metabolism and senescence are two sides of the same coin."