Novel Way to Reduce Nitric Oxide Production

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I found this article relating to an increased production of Nitric

Oxide and Multiple Sclerosis. Although it doesn't say anything about

cea, I thought it was interesting that people with MS experience

a worsening of symptoms during hot weather and that excess Nitric

Oxide production results from that which then makes their symptoms

worse. I wonder if there is some parallel here with NO and rosacea

and heat. The vast majority of us have heat as trigger.

Take care,

Matija

Cooling Vest Improves Symptoms for Multiple Sclerosis Patients

ST. PAUL, MN -- September 11, 2001 -- Wearing a cooling vest can help

multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with muscle strength, fatigue and

balance, according to a study published in the September 11 issue of

Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of

Neurology.

" This is exciting, because it's a relatively easy treatment that

brings an immediate benefit, " said study author and neurologist

Jacques De Keyser, MD, PhD, of the University Hospital in Groningen,

Netherlands.

A majority of MS patients report that their symptoms get worse in

high temperatures, and that cooler temperatures help, at least

temporarily. Researchers have developed vest and head-vest garments

that attach to a box that pumps coolant fluid through tubes in the

vest and cap. But few studies have been done to determine how

effective the vests are and how the cooling works within the body to

reduce symptoms.

For the study, 10 patients whose symptoms respond to temperature

changes wore the vests for an hour. Half of the patients experienced

active cooling, with the coolant set at 45 degrees. As a control

group, the other half experienced " sham " cooling, with the coolant

set at 79 degrees, so the patients would feel a cool contact and

would not know whether they were receiving the treatment or not. A

week later, the patients received the other treatment.

Tests of the patients' fatigue level, balance and muscle strength

were performed before the cooling and again three hours after the

session. The patients' temperatures were taken every 15 minutes.

Researchers also tested the blood of patients for white cell

production of nitric oxide, a naturally occurring molecule, before

and three hours after the cooling session. The white cell nitric

oxide production of 12 healthy volunteers was also tested as a

comparison. Compared to the healthy volunteers, white cells in MS

patients produced more nitric oxide.

Researchers believe that nitric oxide plays a role in reducing the

activity of damaged, or demyelinated, neurons in MS, and thus

contributes to the development of symptoms.

Balance improved by an average of 20 percent for patients receiving

active cooling, compared to those who received the sham cooling.

Muscle strength improved by an average of 10 percent. The level of

fatigue also improved significantly, according to Dr. De Keyser.

The level of nitric oxide decreased by 41 percent in patients

receiving the active cooling. After the sham cooling, patients' level

of nitric oxide did not change. The patients' temperatures did not

drop during the cooling.

" Contrary to popular belief, the beneficial effects of the cooling

garment can't be explained simply by a direct cooling of the central

nervous system, " Dr. De Keyser said. " These results raise the

intriguing possibility that lowering of nitric oxide production may

play an important role in this.

" Now more research is needed on the role nitric oxide plays in the

symptoms of MS. This could lead to efforts to mimic the effects of

cooling through drugs or other means. " This study was supported by a

grant from Multiple Sclerosis International, Amsterdam.

SOURCE: American Academy of Neurology