HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) affects 1.1 million American’s and 18% of that number doesn’t even know they are infected.  HIV is often sexually transmitted through sexual intercourse and IV drug use.  The number of documented cases seems to increase drastically world-wide yearly since the 1980’s.  There is no cure for HIV or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).  Cost effective treatments are needed to meet the needs of a growing patient population.

Genistein, found in flemingia vestita and soybeans, has recently shown promise in inhibiting SDF-1 mediated chemotaxis and HIV infection of resting CD4 T cells.  The process uses genistein, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor,  in an actin-ligand reaction to trigger chemotaxis of the already infected cells and halting HIV infection to enter the resting CD4 T cells.  Genistein was tested against 2 other tyrosine kinase inhibitors, Sunitimib and AG1478, which Sunitimib did inhibit further HIV infection of resting CD4 T cells.  Genistein was further successfully studied in 3 Rhesus monkeys that received 10 mg/kg for 12 weeks without adverse effect.

This study may not be the cure for a new age of HIV patients, however, using compounds found in natural sources such as plants could develop new biologic medications.  The increased need for economically affordable cures for epidemic numbers can use agricultural sources to provide laboratory pharmaceuticals with the answer to HIV and even prostate cancer. Genistein has promising effects on prostate and other cancers as well.  It is important that we continue to use our natural resources that are easily produced and refined for various needs and conserve life’s quality in all aspects.

Shannon Lain

http://www. huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/02/soybean-hiv-treatment-genistein-_n_3672193.html

Http://www.retrovirology.com/content/10/1/62

Disorders of the female reproductive system are very vast and complicated.  One disorder that is associated with abnormally heavy and long menstrual cycles are typically termed menorrhagia.  Symptoms for this disorder include soaking through feminine hygiene products hourly, passing large blood clots, and regular activities have to be stopped due to painful cramping or the effects of anemia.  Treatments for this condition include costly hormonal therapy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and contraceptives. (1)  Recently doctors tested a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device to see how effective it would be at relieving some of the symptoms associated with menorrhagia.

A group of 571 women who were diagnosed with menorrhagia were divided and treated with two different methods. One method was levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device and the other was typical medical treatment.  The typical medical treatment included combination estrogen-progestogen, progesterone, or differing acids.  Treatment methods were done for two years and showed an overall improvement both short and long term for those who received the levonorgestrel-IUS.  (2)

The levonorgestrel-IUS offers woman a more cost effective and convenient method for those affected monthly with this disorder.  A simple intrauterine device now offers relief as well as birth control without painful shots or hormone therapy.  Regular checkups are needed to ensure that the device is still positioned correctly as well as effective.

1. Menorrhagaia. Mayo Clinic Staff. October 20,2012. Menorrhagia: Definition, Symptoms, & treatments. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/menorrhagia. August 4, 2013.
2. Gupta, Janesh M.D. Kai, Joe M.D. Middleton, Lee M.Sc. Pattinson, Helen Ph.D. Gray, Richard M.Sc. Daniels, Jane M.Sc. January 10,2013. “Levonorgestrel Intrauterine System versus medical Therapy for Menorrhagia.” New England Journal of Medicine. January 2013. Retrieved from  http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1204724.  August 4, 2013.

According to the CDC, 8.5% of Americans suffer with asthma.  It causes over 3,000 deaths and costs over $56 billion annually.  Treatments are mostly steroids which have harmful side effects and are not very effective.  CaMKII enzyme was discovered about 10 years ago and when oxidized hardens heart muscle cells, resulting in heart disease and heart attack.  Inhibition of this enzyme may not only help heart patients, but asthmatics as well.

Researchers with the Carver College of Medicine studied mice that they inhibited CaMKII in the airway muscle cells and epithelial lining cells separately.   The inhibition had no effect in the muscle cells as it did in the heart.  However the lining cells had little oxidation of CaMKII and showed none of the symptoms of asthma.   The mice were also exposed to allergens known to trigger asthma reactions and showed little reaction.  Findings resulted that CaMKII inhibition would be effective in allergy-induced asthma patients.

With such research in enzyme inhibition the possibilities of future treatments could pivot towards a new and interesting medical break-through that patients with asthma could be encouraged about.  Steroidal treatment is harsh on the body and while the asthma is treated, so many other health issues arise over long-term use.  Patients would no longer have to look forward to arising adversities health-wise but a true quality of life treatment.

Works Cited:

http://www. sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/07/130724195950.htm

“Inhibiting CaMKII Enzyme Activity Could Lead to New Therapies for Heart Disease” 2012/ 10.  http://medicalxpress.com/news.htm

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic condition of inflammation that affects the innermost lining of the large intestine and rectum.  Symptoms of ulcerative colitis include abdominal pain, bloody stool, and diarrhea that is unresponsive to OTC medications. (1) UC is a progressive disease that has no known cure.  Treatment for UC involves a variety of medications that include anti-inflammatory drugs, immune system suppressors, antibiotics, and anti diarrheal medication.  If drug therapy and life style changes do not relieve the symptoms of UC surgery of the colon and rectum is a potential means of treatment. (1) However, doctors are testing a drug named Tofactitnib that affects the number of proteins in the immune system that causes UC. (2)  It is the newest approach to treating the proteins that make up and suppress the immune response associated with irritable bowel syndrome.

The tested group was 194 patients from around the world that were required to be at least at the age of 18 and diagnosed with UC.  Candidates were required to have undergone previous treatment for their disease. The trial lasted for 8 weeks, and consisted of patients receiving a placebo or 3 mg, 10mg, or 15 mg dose of Tofactitnib twice a day orally.  The results showed that the most effective dose of Tofactinib that increased the remission rate was 15 mg.  Due to the success of this study it has been moved to study the long term effect and maintenance associated with treating UC in phase III trials.  (2)

Tofactinib was originally tested to help relieve the symptoms associated with another inflammatory disease called rheumatoid arthritis.  However, due to efficiency in treating the proteins associated with immune system response it has shown to be a diverse treatment.  Ongoing medical research and differing approaches to treating chronic diseases that have no known cures help relieve the painful symptoms associated with chronic inflammation whether it be in the GI tract or joints.

1. Ulcerative Colitis. Mayo Clinic Staff. Oct 20, 2012. Ulcerative Colitis: Definition, Symptoms, & Treatments. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ulcerative-colitis/DS0059 .  July 30,2013.
2. Rex, Douglas K M.D. August 15, 2012. Tofacitinib Effective for Ulcerative Colitis. New England Journal of Medicine 2012 August. Retrieved from http://www.jwatch.org/jg201208150000001/2012/08/15/tofacitinib-effective-ulcerative-colitis. July 30, 2013

Asthma is a respiratory system disease that causes swelling and narrowing of the lungs’ airways which leads to coughing, chest tightness, wheezing and difficulty breathing. Asthma is a type of obstructive lung disease. Asthma affects 3-5% of United States population. Children are more susceptible to asthma. Airways obstruction may be due to smooth muscle spasms in the wall of small bronchi and bronchioles, edema of the mucosa of the airways, increased mucus secretion, and/or damage to the epithelium of the airways. Asthma is treated with variety of medication like inhalers, pills and nebulizers. But latest research shows that natural health remedies are also helpful in treatment of asthma. Such natural health remedies can be use instead of medicines to relieve the symptoms of asthma.

Recent research shows that ginger compounds are helpful in relieving inflamed airways much in same way that modern medicines do. Researchers used human airway smooth muscle tissue to test ginger compounds. They produced bronchoconstriction in airway smooth muscle tissue similar to that occurs in asthmatic attack. They gained bronchoconsrtiction by exposing tissue to a CNS neurotransmitter, acetylcholine. Ginger was broken down into three different elements – 6-gingerol, 8-gingerol and 6-shogaol. Then these components were mixed with isoproterenol, a beta agonist medicine use for asthma. Then constricted tissues were treated with isoproterenol alone or with any of three combinations of ginger components.

Results shows that tissues which received the mixture of ginger elements and isoproterenol were more relaxed than those which received isoproterenol alone. Among three components of ginger, 6-shogaol showed the most relaxation of tissue. In further studys, researchers found that all three components of ginger decrease the effect of enzyme phosphodiesterase4D. This enzyme slows down feedback that accelerates relaxation of airway smooth muscle. This finding enables asthma patients to rely less on medications. Patients can treat asthma with ginger elements without any latent side effects of medicines. Ginger can also alleviate nausea, reduce cholesterol and reduce inflammation.