Mannitol is an artificial
sugar alcohol produced by fungi, bacteria, algae – is also used medically as a
diuretic, and during surgery as a substance that opens the blood brain barrier,
to ease the passage of drugs…found that mannitol also prevents clumps of the
protein α-synuclein from forming in the brain -- a process that is
characteristic of Parkinson's disease.
They found that
mannitol was among the most effective agents in preventing aggregation of the
protein in test tubes. The benefit of this substance is that it is already
approved for use in a variety of clinical interventions, Prof. Segal says.
To study fly movement, they used
a test called the "climbing assay," in which the ability of flies to
climb the walls of a test tube indicates their locomotive capability. In the
initial experimental period, 72 percent of normal flies were able to climb up
the test tube, compared to only 38 percent of the genetically-altered flies. The
researchers then added mannitol to the food of the genetically-altered flies
for a period of 27 days and repeated the experiment. This time, 70 percent of
the mutated flies could climb up the test tube. In addition, the researchers
observed a 70 percent reduction in aggregates of α-synuclein in mutated flies
that had been fed mannitol, compared to those that had not…After four
months, the researchers found that the mice injected with mannitol also showed
a dramatic reduction of α-synuclein in the brain.
Further experiments
on animal models, including behavioral testing, whose disease development
mimics more closely the development of Parkinson's in humans is needed
For the time being, mannitol may
be used in combination with other medications that have been developed to treat
Parkinson's but which have proven ineffective in breaking through the
blood/brain barrier, says Prof. Segal. These medications may be able to
"piggy-back" on mannitol's ability to open this barrier into the
brain.
Although the results look
promising, it is still not advisable for Parkinson's patients to begin
ingesting mannitol in large quantities, Prof. Segal cautions. More testing must
be done to determine dosages that would be both effective and safe. [ this is their normal don’t do
this yet or we’ll get sued sort of spiel, but having said that mannitol is a
diuretic, its side effects in excess would be a pain…]
