Antibiotic Minocycline may Prevent Kids Dying from Brain Fever
The study, conducted in India on mice models, found that minocycline, an USFDA approved drug, often used to treat acne, reduces death rates by lowering
the microglial activation, neuronal death as well as viral replication.
The team found that Microglia are cells that act as the “cleanup crew” for the Central Nervous System (CNS). They wipe out damaged cells by releasing toxins and engulfing them. Should they become activated and release their toxins in the CNS, the toxins will kill the healthy neurons critical for normal function of brain.
?Our studies in mice suggest that this antibiotic may be a strong candidate for further consideration as a therapeutic drug in patients with JE? said Anirban Basu, PhD, Staff Scientist and senior author of this work from NBRC, Manesar, Haryana.
Previous studies from the same group have shown that following JE there was an increased production of cytokines, proteins that cause inflammation of the brain as well as death of neurons.
However, the current study goes a step further to show that minocycline is helpful in reducing the level of cytokines and neuronal death following JE.
The major finding in this study is that treatment with minocycline provides a complete protection against experimental JE. Minocycline?s neuroprotective action is associated with marked decrease in neuronal death, microgliosis and production of cytokine and viral titre.
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