Drugs to Prevent Cell Suicide

MrErlenmeyer writes "Many injuries and diseases including heart attacks, stroke, and Parkinson's cause healthy cells to kill themselves. A group of scientists at Washington University in Saint Louis believe they have a lead on how to stop apoptosis (unwanted cell suicide) and thus minimize the tissue damage that occurs as a result of these injuries. They designed drugs that halt the actions of executioner caspases, proteins that act as a molecular wrecking crew. Other scientists had found that a chemical called isatin could prevent tissue damage in rabbit hearts that were deprived of oxygen. This was the starting point for the team of researchers in Missouri. By making some changes to the molecule, they were able to develop an even more effective molecule. With some further refinement, this may lead to a new class of emergency medications."

Comments

Bad headline

[Nimey]

It made me think of something the government would give to Guantanamo prisoners.

s/cell/cellular/ would have been much clearer (and who cares if some idiot's cell phone autodarwinates?).

iSatin ???

[jdray]

iSatan ?? Oh, Apple's gone too far this time...

Re:better way

[Anonymous Coward]

I won't tell you to put your father on Vioxx or your wife on Thalidomide

Don't tell me what drugs to give my daughter, jackass

Re:better way

[Old Benjamin]

In other news, if you want to condone your child having sex, get them vaccinated for HPV