Weight
Stress is bad for chronic pain
People with chronic pain are advised to manage their condition by avoiding stress – especially if they have a small hippocampus (part of the brain) as it is this group that is more vulnerable to stress.
A study published in Brain found that higher levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) are found in people who have a smaller hippocampus, and this leads to being more affected by pain. Continue reading
Molecule discovery could be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis
A new molecule has been found by a pharmaceutical company that could in the future be used to treat diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.
GBR 830 is an anti-OX40 monoclonal antibody (OX40 is responsible for some autoimmune diseases). It seems that it is one of a kind; Dr Michael Buschle from Glenmark Pharmaceuticals says there are currently no antagonistic antibodies targeting OX40 in the clinical stage of development.
“We are confident that the antibody expertise and product development capabilities of the Switzerland Biologics Research Centre will continue to enrich the Glenmark discovery pipeline,” he comments.
Studies have begun for the investigational new drug application to be filed with the US Food and Drug Administration.
Too Much – Or Too Little – Activity Bad For Knees
Very high and very low levels of physical activity can accelerate the degeneration of knee cartilage in middle-aged adults according to a new study.
US researchers looked at changes in knee cartilage in a group of 205 patients aged 45 years to 60 years over a four-year period. Participants used a questionnaire to record their physical activity and the researchers used MRI technology to measure cartilage in the knee (T2 values). Continue reading
Losing Weight Improves Sleep Quality
Overweight people who lose weight find they sleep better, says research presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions.
Prof Kerry Stewart and her team looked at 77 people with type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes, all of whom were overweight or obese. At the start and end of the six-month study the participants answered a survey about their sleep problems and their fat levels were measured. Continue reading
UK Women Need To Watch Their Waistlines
Data from 30,000 women from around the UK shows that 57% have waists larger than the recommended healthy size.
Experts from the charity Nuffield Health fear that the weighty issue will lead to an increased chance heart disease, type 2 diabetes, infertility and cancer. Continue reading
