Taurine is a non -essential amino acid that the body generates in small quantities and is also found in organs such as brain, heart and muscles. In addition, it is present in foods such as meat, fish and eggs, as well as in energy drinks and protein supplementsthat some athletes use to reduce fatigue and improve their physical performance.
This compound has been considered beneficial in certain contexts, as suggested by a study on gastric cancer published in Cellwhich pointed to its potential to stimulate the immune system, as well as another led by scientists from the Irving Medical Center of Columbia University, which indicated that bullfighting supplements can slow down the aging process. However, new preclinical research has now identified the Taurine as a key actor in the development of myeloid cancers, such as leukemia.
The new study has been conducted by researchers from the Wilmot Cancer Institute of Rochester led by Dr. Jeevisha Bajaj, and her findings open a promising route for the treatment of one of the most aggressive forms of blood cancer, since, through genetic techniques, these scientists managed to block the growth of human leukemic cells and in animal models by preventing them from absorbed It suggests a new therapeutic approach.
Dr. Jane Liesveld, co -author of the article and oncologist specialized in leukemia, highlights the importance of better understanding How these malignant cells get energy and they manage to resist treatments. “The work of Dr. Bajaj shows that local bullfighting levels in the bone marrow can favor the growth of leukemia, which invites caution when using supplements with high doses of this substance,” he said in a note published by the University.
Bullfighting as an ally of certain types of cancer
The team identified that a part of the normal cells of the bone marrow microenvironment – the tissue where myeloid cancers are originated and expanded. Cancer cells, however, cannot synthesize it for themselves, so they depend on a specific transporter (encoded by the SLC6A6 gene) to capture this substance from the environment.
This finding occurred while the researchers thoroughly analyzed the bone marrow ecosystem, an area in which the Wilmot Institute has been working with the aim of Improve blood cancer treatments. “We are very excited about these results because they show that blocking bullfighting by myeloid leukemia cells could become a new therapeutic strategy,” said Bajaj, a teacher in the department of biomedical genetics and a member of the research program on the tumor microambiente of the institute.
“Blocking bullfighting by myeloid leukemia cells could become a new therapeutic strategy”
In addition to their structural role, scientists observed that, by absorbing bullfighting, leukemic cells increased their glycolytic activity, that is, intensified the decomposition of glucose to obtain energy, thus favoring their proliferation. Until now, it was unknown that this substance could contribute to cancer growth.
The study has been published in the magazine Nature And it also reveals that the expression of the bullfighting conveyor is crucial for the survival of several subtypes of leukemia, including acute myeloid leukemia (LMA), chronic myeloid leukemia (LMC) and myelodisplastic syndromes (SMD), all originated from hematopoietic stem cells. Future investigations will seek to understand how the signs of the medulla microenvironment drive the progression of SMDs towards acute leukemia.
Source: www.webconsultas.com