Ibuprofen against parkinsonism: details
Ibuprofen may reduce the risk of developing Parkinson's disease
LifeSciencesToday based on HSPH materials:
Study Shows Ibuprofen May Reduce Risk of Developing Parkinson's DiseaseA new study by Harvard School of Public Health scientists shows that adults who regularly take the nonsteroidal anti–inflammatory drug (NSAID) ibuprofen are at one–third lower risk of developing one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases - Parkinson's disease - than those who do not take this drug.
"There is no cure for Parkinson's disease, so the possibility that ibuprofen, an existing and relatively non–toxic drug, can protect against this disease is simply exciting," says Alberto Ascherio, professor of epidemiology and nutrition at HSPH, senior author of an article published in the online and print editions of the journal Neurology (Use of ibuprofen and risk of Parkinson's disease).
According to the National Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Stroke of the USA (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke), Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that usually manifests itself after 50 years, has been diagnosed in at least half a million Americans. About 50,000 new cases of the disease are registered annually, and this number is expected to increase as the country's population ages. Scientists suggest that ibuprofen reduces inflammation of brain tissue, which contributes to the development of the disease.
Earlier studies have shown a reduced risk of developing Parkinson's disease among those taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, but most studies did not distinguish between ibuprofen and other NSAIDs that do not contain aspirin.
In the new study, Askerio and his colleagues analyzed data from approximately 99,000 women and 37,000 men. They identified 291 cases of Parkinson's disease within six years (1998-2004 for women, 2000-2006 for men) from the beginning of the study. Based on the questionnaires, the researchers analyzed the patients' intake of ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin), aspirin or aspirin-containing drugs, other anti-inflammatory painkillers (Aleve, Naprosyn) and acetaminophen (Tylenol). Although acetaminophen does not belong to NSAIDs, it was included in the study, as it is also used as an analgesic. Age, dietary habits, smoking, caffeine and other variables were also taken into account.
"We found that men and women who took ibuprofen twice or more times a week were about 38% less at risk of developing Parkinson's disease than those who regularly took aspirin and other NSAIDs or acetaminophen," comments the study's lead author Xiang Gao (Xiang Gao). "Our results show that ibuprofen may be a potential neuroprotective agent protecting against Parkinson's disease, however, the exact mechanism of its action is unknown."
The discovery gives hope that an easily accessible and inexpensive drug can help in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. "Since the loss of brain cells leading to Parkinson's disease has been occurring for a decade or more, a possible explanation for our results may be that taking ibuprofen protects these cells. If this is the case, the use of ibuprofen can help slow down the progression of the disease," Gao believes.
The conclusions drawn from the study do not mean that patients with already pronounced Parkinson's disease should start taking ibuprofen, adds Askerio. "Although the drug is generally considered safe, it can nevertheless have side effects, such as gastrointestinal bleeding. Whether this risk is compensated by slowing the progression of the disease should be studied under strict control in randomized clinical trials," the scientist emphasizes.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru15.03.2011