Protein Could Be Used To Treat Alcohol Effects On The Pancreas
In recent studies in the vast scientific field, scientists have discovered a protein that could be used to treat the dangerous effects alcohol has on the pancreas or an organ that releases a digestive substance to the intestines and also releases the hormone insulin which regulates blood sugar. More specifically, this discovery could help cure pancreatic cancer or a type of illness in which the pancreatic cells divide uncontrollably which is the fifth leading cause of cancer death in patients diagnosed with this disease. A vital protein, named calmodulin, is involved with the functions of cells in the body and scientists have found that when this protein is not present, cells obstruct at a very dramatic rate. Calmodulin is a protein that is significant with the jobs of calcium enzymes. When another protein named CALP-3 is activated and engaged, it turns on the calmodulin which helps to protect pancreatic cells from alcohol. When calmodulin is active, it is clearly seen that it helps prevent pancreatitis which is the inflammation of the pancreas. If more alcohol is consumed by a human being, then the risk of pancreatitis increases. The development of drugs could help cure this pancreatic cancer which has been incurable as of this present moment. This article is interesting because this one discovery could help save millions of lives and possibly end the quest in finding a cure for pancreatic cancer. The pancreas is an organ that releases insulin which helps regulate the sugar levels. Well, when alcohol is consumed, concentrations of this substance are also found in the bloodstream. Therefore, if new drugs are also developed to fight this cancer, it could also combat the concentration of alcohol deadly to our blood system.
One quote that explains this article very well is, “The study team, led by Professor Ole Petersen in the MRC Group at Cardiff University’s School of Biosciences, found that calmodulin protects pancreatic cells against alcohol’s toxic effects when it is activated by another small protein, CALP-3.” This quote basically states that when calmodulin is turned on and working, it prevents the pancreatic cells from rapidly dividing. When calmodulin is active, alcohol cannot destroy the cells because the protein already fights it off and this is actually good because it can prevent one organ from shutting down from alcohol.
APA Bibliography:
1) Cardiff University (2011, March 22). Protein could be used to treat alcohol effects on pancreas. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 2
Website URL: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110322114823.htm
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