Uncategorized Wednesday, 2015/10/21
Recently, a breakthrough progress achieved by the RI-MUHC and Duke University might help us to understand how our brains perceive and prevent dehydration. They have identified the structure of a key protein located in the brain, that is involved in the body’s hydration and it can control the temperature. Published on Cell Reports on October 6, 2015, this study might have important clinical significance. For the protein might be a target for the treatment and the development of a diagnostic test method of a lot of body fluid imbalance related health problems (common in the emergency room).
Dr Charles Bourque, the leader of the study, said: “We are sure that this is a kind of protein that allows the brain to monitor the physiological temperature. The protein is quite important because it contribute how the brain to detect heat and trigger adaptive responses, such as thirst. This protein-is an ion channel which can adjust ions through the cell membrane. It is considered to play a crucial role in the balance of body fluids (water, blood, etc.) and sodium (salt) levels. And it may be related to changes in the regulation of salt-related high blood pressure, and lead to fluid retention, followed by heart failure, sepsis or traumatic brain injury. "
Dr. Bourque's group is studying how the brain controls osmotic adjustment, which maintains the body fluids of transmembrane water and salt balance. Osmotic adjustment changes can have a significant impact on human health. In fact, sodium is necessary for the regulation of the water content, and therefore, high salt level may damage the kidneys and increase blood pressure.
According to the introduction of Dr. Bourque, the body’s fluid balance defect is the most common cause for the patients being taken into emergency room. For example, hyponatremia, a disease that occurs when blood sodium level is abnormally low. Sodium is an electrolyte that helps to regulate the amount of water in our cells and surrounding cells. When this happens, the body’s water level rises, and the brain cells begin to swell, causing nausea, vomiting and headache. This, however, is a well-known problem in the elderly that can lead to changes in cognition and even seizures.
Dr Bourque added: “Interestingly, our work also showed that the ion channel is an alternative product of TRPV1 gene, which encodes capsaicin receptor for pepper detecting.”