News and Research

Study Title: A network medicine approach to investigation and population-based validation of disease manifestations and drug repurposing for COVID-19    PLOS Biology  Nov. 2020 Overview: This study looked at a number of different genes, interactions, medications, and comorbidities as related to SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19.  It was a good sized study, with data from over 26,0000 people included. The study found that supplemental melatonin usage reduced the likelihood of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The researchers took into account a number of different variables (race, age, usage of other medications) and the results remained significant. From the study: “We found that melatonin usage was associated with a 28% reduced likelihood of a positive laboratory test result for SARS-CoV-2 (odds ratio [OR] = 0.72, 95% CI 0.56–0.91; Fig 8A) after adjusting for age, sex, race, smoking history, and various disease comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and COPD) using a propensity score (PS) matching method.” Beta-blockers may also help prevent getting SARS-CoV-2: “We found that carvedilol use was significantly associated with a reduced likelihood of a positive laboratory test result for SARS-CoV-2 (OR = 0.74, 95% … Read more

A look into the question of why women are at a much higher risk than men for Alzheimer’s.

Study title: The core clock transcription factor BMAL1 drives circadian β-cell proliferation during compensatory regeneration of the endocrine pancreas Journal Genes & Development, Nov. 2020 Press Release from the University of Geneva on this study: Some parts of our body, such as the skin or the liver, can regenerate after an illness. Cells still functional proliferate to compensate for losses. Thus, for the past thirty years, scientists have been studying the potential for regeneration of beta cells in the pancreas, responsible for producing insulin. As their impairment is largely responsible for the onset of diabetes, the possibility of regenerating them is a hope for treatment. By studying diabetic mice, scientists from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG) observed that their regeneration mechanism was influenced by circadian rhythms – the molecular clocks regulating cellular metabolic functions. on a 24 hour cycle. Furthermore, scientists have identified the essential role of a key component of circadian rhythms, the BMAL1 molecule. These results, to read in the journal Genes and Development , allow to consider new perspectives to promote the regeneration … Read more

Study title: Evening home lighting adversely impacts the circadian system and sleep  Nature,  Nov 2020 Overview of the study:  Quick background: Melatonin is a hormone that the body produces at night, and it is an integral part of our circadian rhythm. Levels rise at night when it is dark, and melatonin is suppressed to a lower level during the day through bright light exposure. Melatonin and the body’s natural circadian rhythm are essential to health and wellbeing — and messing with this system with electric lighting at night increases the risk of almost all modern chronic diseases (diabetes, depression, heart disease, dementia, ADHD, some cancers, etc.).  (Read more about melatonin and disease risk) In this new study, participants wore eye-level light monitoring devices daily to evaluate the brightness and wavelength of light exposure in the evenings and night. The researchers monitored melatonin production and sleep quality. Overall, the results showed that light exposure in the blue wavelengths (which suppress melatonin) affected sleep quality and time to fall asleep for the first 90 minutes after bedtime.  The researchers adjusted for age, … Read more

Study Title: NP03, a Microdose Lithium Formulation, Blunts Early Amyloid Post-Plaque Neuropathology in McGill-R-Thy1-APP Alzheimer-Like Transgenic Rats  Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, Oct. 2020 Overview:  A new animal study looks at the effects of a “novel microdose lithium formulation” called NP03. The study used transgenic rats that were developed to have Alzheimer’s-like pathogenesis from amyloid plaque. The NP03 lithium was administered in a low dose for 12 weeks at the point when the animals develop amyloid-beta placque.  The results showed: “we find that NP03 rescues functional deficits in object recognition, reduces loss of cholinergic boutons in the hippocampus, reduces levels of soluble and insoluble cortical Aβ42 and reduces hippocampal Aβ plaque number.” Why is this important? There are lots of animal studies that show various substances could ‘cure’ Alzheimer’s, but human trials are usually very disappointing. With lithium, though, there are a number of epidemiological studies showing that people who drink water that has a higher lithium content are less likely to get Alzheimer’s disease. So it is exciting to see animal models investigate the mechanisms through which lithium could affect … Read more

Study title: Fetal mast cells mediate postnatal allergic responses dependent on maternal IgE  Science, Oct 29, 2020 Overview: This interesting new animal study shows that the IgE antibodies responsible for allergic reactions can be transferred across the placenta to the fetus. The babies then develop allergies at the first exposure to the allergen. The study used mice that were highly allergic to ragweed pollen before pregnancy, and thus would have high levels of IgE antibodies to the pollen. The baby mice then were born with a ragweed allergy, triggering mast cell release in response to only ragweed. BUT – the allergy did fade after about 6 weeks. The researchers also determined that the FcRN protein is necessary for the transfer of the IgE antibody across the placenta. FcRN is a cellular receptor that is active in the placenta, transporting the mother’s IgG antibodies to the fetus. There are a number of studies going on regarding FcRN, IgG and autoimmune diseases. Why is this interesting to me? There is a lot of potential here to apply this knowledge to infants that … Read more

Title: Aspirin Use is Associated with Decreased Mechanical Ventilation, ICU Admission, and In-Hospital Mortality in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 Journal of Anesthesia & Analgesia, Oct 21, 2020 Overview: Researchers did a retrospective study, looking at the data of COVID-19 patients in US hospitals between March and July 2020. Patients were divided into two groups: patients who took aspirin either before going to the hospital or within 24-hours or admittance patients who didn’t take any aspirin. After taking into account some confounding variables (BMI, vital signs at admission), the results showed: The aspirin group was at a 44% decreased risk being put on a ventilator. The aspirin group was at a 43% decreased risk for ICU admission. In-hospital mortality didn’t differ statistically between the two groups. Of note, the average age of the patients in the aspirin group was 9 years older than the no-aspirin group. Plus, the aspirin group contained significantly more patients with hypertension, diabetes, CAD, kidney disease, and liver disease. My thoughts:  It is interesting to see the impact of aspirin on ICU admission and ventilators. One thing … Read more

Title: Structural and metabolic brain abnormalities in COVID-19 patients with sudden loss of smell   PREPRINT  Oct. 18, 2020 Overview of the study: Researchers from Belgium did MRIs and PET scans on the brains of 12 COVID-19patients with a sudden loss of smell.  Here is what they found: Six (50%) of the patients had a blockage of the olfactory cleft, which is the upper part of the nasal cavity where the olfactory receptors are located. “No MRI signal abnormality downstream of the olfactory tract was observed” The PET scan showed glucose metabolism abnormalities in core olfactory and high-order neocortical areas. The conclusion of the study: “This PET-MR study shows that sudden loss of smell in COVID-19 is not related to central involvement due to SARS-CoV-2 neuroinvasiveness. Loss of smell is associated with heterogeneous cerebral metabolic changes in core olfactory and high-order cortical areas likely related to combined processes of deafferentation and active functional reorganisation secondary to the lack of olfactory stimulation. ”   Why is this important? Many articles, headlines, and social media postings have proclaimed that the loss of smell … Read more

Study: Efficacy of melatonin for sleep disturbance in middle-aged primary insomnia: A double-blind, randomised clinical trial Journal of Sleep Medicine, Oct 17, 2020 Overview of the study: This new clinical trial evaluated the effectiveness of a 3 mg fast-release melatonin supplement in middle-aged people with insomnia.  The results showed that the participants in the melatonin group (51 people) had a significant decrease in early waking insomnia (that dreaded waking up at 4 am type of insomnia).  The melatonin group also had a decrease in the amount of time spent in light sleep (N2 sleep).  None of the other parameters differed from the control group. Why I found this interesting: A lot of trials using melatonin show little effect on ‘sleep’, but the researchers are often looking at the time it takes to fall asleep. This study is interesting in that it showed that  melatonin (3 mg) helped people to stay asleep longer in the mornings instead of early wake time insomnia.  I would love to see the same type of study using a 3 mg timed-release melatonin supplement… There is … Read more

Quick roundup of studies on antibody production for SARS-CoV-2.   Preprint Study: Antibody reactivity to SARS-CoV-2 in adults from the Vancouver metropolitan area, Canada Oct 2020 This preprint study looked at 276 people in the Vancuver area of British Columbia. The majority of the study participants were health care workers. Results showed that 0.6% of the participants had antibodies for SARS-CoV-2 (which was in-line with the prevalence in BC). What was interesting, though, was that the researchers also checked to see if there was seroreactivity — antibodies that react – to certain proteins that are found on SARS-CoV-2 as well as other coronaviruses. 82% of the participants had antibodies that reacted to the spike protein on SARS-CoV-2. While it would be easy to speculate that 82% of the world is thus immune to SARS-CoV-2, that would be extrapolating this out of context. Keep in mind that most of the participants (76%) were healthcare workers who had likely been exposed in the past to lots of different viral illnesses, unlike most of us. Also, it is still not clear how much … Read more

Discussion of a published study that looked at over a thousand different Bifidobacteria strains, investigating how they interact with their host (e.g., you and I).

Two good studies on vitamin D levels and SARS-CoV-2 have been published recently in major journals.  Both studies back up all the previous research on vitamin D and immune function. This isn’t really new news…  Having adequate vitamin D levels is vital for good immune function – whether for COVID-19, the flu, other respiratory viruses, Dengue fever, etc.   PLOS ONE: SARS-CoV-2 positivity rates associated with circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels Sept 2020 This latest vitamin D study included 191000 participants and used ‘deidentified’ test results from Quest. The participants had all had a vitamin D test within the last 12 months as well as a SARS-CoV-2 test that was run through Quest. The results showed that low vitamin D was linked to higher rates of SARS-CoV-2 positive test results. As vitamin D levels increase, the rate of positive test results decreases, up to a point.   Things to keep in mind: This study also shows that people with vitamin D level in the deficiency range (<20 ng/mL) were at a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2. Older people are more likely to … Read more

Title: A genetic polymorphism that is associated with mitochondrial energy metabolism increases risk of fibromyalgia  July 2002 Journal: Journal of the International Association for the Study of Pain This new study looked at both the full nuclear genome and mitochondrial genome for 609 people. The patients in the study had persistent pain conditions (e.g. fibromyalgia, IBS, TMJ, or vulvar vestibulitis). Fibromyalgia is a syndrome of widespread muscle pain. People with fibromyalgia often are fatigued and have sleep or mood issues also. The researcher found that one SNP in a mitochondrial gene (m.2352) increased the risk of fibromyalgia almost 5-fold. The researchers then replicated the link with this mitochondrial genetic variant and other pain disorders. The abstract explains the importance of this finding: Essentially, oxidative phosphorylation is what is going on in the mitochondria to produce most of the ATP that a cell needs. With a decreased membrane potential, the mitochondria will not be as efficient. Why is this important? The study directly links fibromyalgia to cellular metabolism. Therapies that target boosting the mitochondria may be effective. This one genetic variant … Read more

Genetic variants in the ACTN3 gene and injuries   Effect of ACTN3 Genotype on Sports Performance, Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage, and Injury Epidemiology: May 2020 Quick background: The ACTN3 gene codes for a protein needed for fast twitch muscle fiber – the type needed for quick, explosive movements.  A common SNP (rs1815739) causes this gene to be non-functioning.  (Read more here and check your data) This new review article brings together information on both athletic performance and injury. It recaps the older studies that show that people with the functioning ACTN3 gene are more likely to be elite sprinter or power sport athletes – and those with the non-functioning ACTN3 genotype are more likely to be endurance athletes. It also includes information on how the functioning ACTN3 gene increases muscle mass more quickly in response to training. What’s interesting here:  The article goes on to explain all the research on injuries in people with the non-functioning ACTN3 muscle type. Quite a few studies show that athletes with the non-functioning genotype are more prone to muscle injuries and needed a longer time … Read more

Research Roundup on Transdermal Absorption of Sunscreen Ingredients   Traditional sunscreen research: JAMA: Effect of Sunscreen Application Under Maximal Use Conditions on Plasma Concentration of Sunscreen Active Ingredients A study of 24 people who used four different sunscreens – 2 sprays, a lotion, and a cream – applied to 75% of their body, 4 times per day. This went on for four days. The FDA guidelines are that the active ingredients in sunscreen shouldn’t be absorbed at more than 0.5 ng/mL. The results showed that the active ingredients were all absorbed and found in the bloodstream at levels way above 0.5 ng/mL by the end of day one. Oxybenzone levels varied from 169 – 209 ng/mL. The other three active ingredients  (avobenzone, octocrylene, and ecamsule) ranged from around 2ng/mL to over 20 ng/mL.  By the end of day 4, concentrations were even higher.   Neurotoxic effect of active ingredients in sunscreen products, a contemporary review Review article in the journal Toxicology Reports from 2017 discussing the known and unknown effects on neurotoxicity from several common sunscreen ingredients. A lot of … Read more