Gladstone Labs and Nrf2 protein

Gladstone Labs is at it again!   Finding a single protein which limits neuronal death.  How much do we love this innovative lab!  Thanks to Dr. Terry Wahls for tweeting about this paper today, I had missed it.
https://gladstone.org/about-us/news/single-protein-may-hold-secret-treating-parkinson-s-disease-and-more

"I am very enthusiastic about this strategy for treating neurodegenerative diseases," said Finkbeiner, a senior investigator at Gladstone and senior author on the paper. "We've tested Nrf2 in models of Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, and ALS, and it is the most protective thing we've ever found. Based on the magnitude and the breadth of the effect, we really want to understand Nrf2 and its role in protein regulation better."

In this new research, Gladstone Labs have shown how the protein Nrf2 serves as a housekeeper for our brains, by cleaning up damaging proteins.  Nrf2 actually protects neurons from cellular death by regulating other proteins.  

For those new to this super protein, the Nrf2 signaling pathway (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor) is how your body defends and protects itself against damaging proteins, toxins, oxidative stress and inflammation.   I have blogged about it before--since Nrf2 had been shown to reduce oxidative stress in MS.  This blog post is from 2012  link

There are actually ways to turn on our body's Nrf2 protein defenses, by using Nrf2 activators. 

Nrf2 activators are PRO-oxidant---meaning they introduce an oxidizer, so that your body create its own antioxidant protection.  Kind of like "fighting fire with fire."  This compound activates the enzymes in your own cells to fight oxidative stress in your body.  These enzymes then protect your oligodendrocytes (myelin forming cells), and keep them from dying during an attack of oxidative stress.   And now we know that Nrf2 protects neurons from harmful proteins.   A win/win for those with MS.

Three of the plants I recommend in the Endothelial Health Program as anti-oxidants, which also have published research as Nrf2 activators-

Curcumin--the golden powder that gives Indian curry its color, is extracted from the tumeric plant.
link  link  link

Silymarin--or milk thistle, known to protect liver cells and produce glutathione

link  link  link

and EGCG, or green tea. Known for its antioxidizing and metal chelating effects.

link  link   link  link

More ways to increase Nrf2:

Dr. Bernhard Juurlink has spoken and published on the power of broccoli sprouts as Nrf2 activators.  Here is information on his book on the health benefits of broccoli--
link

Paul Thornalley, from the University of Warwick (United Kingdom), and colleagues have observed that sulforaphane in broccoli, and quercetin in onions, are capable of increasing Nrf2 movement. Observing a continual movement cycle of Nrf2, which sees the protein oscillate in and out of the cell nucleus once every 129 minutes, the team found that sulforaphane and  quercetin sped the cycle up to 80 minutes.  Writing that: “We discovered cytoplasmic refresh rate of Nrf2 is important in maintaining and regulating the transcriptional response and links stress challenge to increased cytoplasmic surveillance,” the study authors aim to develop new food supplements – superfoods that stimulate Nrf2 activity.
link

The supplement Protandim is a scientifically recognized Nrf2 activator, as well--although Jeff has not used it, so I don't have any experience with it, but I know many other pwMS do.  link

Always talk to your own doctors before adding any supplements to your program, as there may be contraindications for you.  And, it bears repeating...I am NOT a doctor!

Hope you find this research encouraging!   I know I do.

Go, Gladstone Labs!!  

Thanks to Dr. Finkbeiner  (left) and Dr. Skibinski (right)

Joan  

Moving forward

Research into the vascular connection to MS is continuing and expanding in scope.  I am heartened to see one particular group of researchers growing in size and addressing many new discoveries.  The ISNVD is moving forward.

The program and registration for the 2016 International Society for Neurovascular Disease 6th Annual Science Meeting is now online.
http://www.isnvd.org/newyork

From the announcement:

We are proud to announce that the 6th annual ISNVD scientific meeting will take place in lower  Manhattan, New York City on April 29th and April 30th of 2016.

During the past few years, the field of neurovascular disease has witnessed a vast growth in clinical and translational research. 

One of the most exciting revelations in this "vast growth" will be presented by keynote speaker, Dr. Jonathan Kipnis from the University of Virginia.  Dr. Kipnis will be presenting on his lab's landmark discovery of the brain's lymphatic vessels in "The Brain Drain, Meningeal Lymphatics and Neurological Disorders."  You might remember the attention his research received in Scientific America and the medical press, when headlines proclaimed the existance of a link between the brain and immune system.  

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/important-link-between-the-brain-and-immune-system-found/

Here's more on this "stunning discovery."

http://ccsviinms.blogspot.com/2015/06/a-stunning-discovery.html

As the Journal of Experimental Medicine stated, it is time to "rewrite the textbooks."

http://ccsviinms.blogspot.com/2015/06/rewrite-textbooks.html

Why does Dr. Kipnis' research matter?  Because he has discovered that the brain's immune system relies on the veins which drain the brain.   

Other recent research, like Gladstone Labs discovery that a drop of blood can instigate an MS-like immune reaction in the brain, is important in light of opening day topics such as Dr. Alireza Minegar's discussion of "MS as a Vascular Disease" and Dr. Chih-Ping Chung's presentation on cerebral micro bleeds.

And there will be much discussion on clinical trials for treatment, as specialists from Italy, the US, Australia, and Bulgaria will speak about their treatment trials for vascular interventions in neurovenous disease.  

Here is the program:

http://isnvd.org/sites/default/files/ISNVD-2016%20meeting%20outline%20program%20guide%209-21-2015.pdf

As we learned in 2015, the brain is not immune privileged.  It is connected to the body's lymphatic system by vessels which rely on veins for drainage.  We also learned that it does not take an "autoimmune" reaction to cause MS.  As in stroke or traumatic brain injury,  all that is needed is to initiate myelin-destroying inflammation is plasmic particles breaking through the blood brain barrier.  These discoveries point to the undeniable connection of the brain to the vasculature.

The current resistance to this very real connection and dogged insistance on the 80 year old mouse model of multiple sclerosis is holding back research.  It will be independent groups, like the ISNVD and Gladstone Labs, who will break through the pharma-controlled impasse in MS research, and find real solutions, based on current scientific evidence.

In the meantime;  live your best, heart-healthy life.  Don't smoke, move your body every day, eat nutritious whole foods, manage stress, get sunshine and supplement Vitamin D and B, if warranted.  There are things you can do today to help your brain heal.  

Don't believe me?  Just check out Dr. Norman Doidge's new, NY Times Bestseller book, 

The Brain's Way of Healing    

http://www.normandoidge.com/?page_id=1042

They thought that the brain
was too sophisticated for its own good.
That during evolution it became so complex
that it lost the ability to repair itself and
to restore lost functions
or to preserve itself.
They were wrong.
Because it turns out that its very sophistication
can be the source of a unique kind of healing…
The brain’s way of healing…

Here's to moving forward, and leaving the old, incorrect assumptions behind.

Joan