Viagra uses nitric oxide to save newborn babies with breathing issues

Well, we already figured out that nitric oxide, which expands blood vessels, plays a big role in male erections. It's a component of some erectile dysfunction drugs. Now they've found that sildenafil (viagra) which releases nitric oxide can be used to help newborn infants with breathing problems.

Apparently nitric oxide gas has traditionally been used to help little ones breathe, and it's very expensive or simply not available. This is a dramatic discovery for babies in developing countries, which is where 90% of the babies in the world with this problem live, and where they cannot normally afford the gas. In one study babies who received sildenafil improved oxygenation and had a 92% survival rate--as opposed to 49% for babies receiving placebo.

The FDA hasn't approved this use for the drug. And researchers are calling for much more precise studies. But, at $5 to $10 a dose, we're talking an eminently affordable way to save lives within the first few days of those babies' lives.

Stem cells to produce synthetic blood

British scientists are starting a project that promises to have human beings receiving injections of infection-free synthetic blood within 3 years. The goal is to find embryonic stem cells of type "O" which can be used for any other blood type and encourage them to grow into mature, oxygen-carrying blood cells in unlimited amounts.

Imagine a day when there are no more crises that require people to go and donate blood. When every operation or accident can be handled without fear of infection from donated blood. Imagine that blood carrying our marvelous nitric oxide happily along to its many tasks.

It seems we are gradually discovering the millions of miracles that make up life as we know it. And one day not so far in the future our children will look back on these times of radical surgeries and brutal chemotherapy and other drug treatments as primitive indeed.

Nitrc oxide plays role in aiding melatonin's antidepressant effects

Had to look up several references but was finally able to confirm that nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, when combined with melatonin, measurably improves antidepressant effects in mice. Now the combination of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor and melatonin are being tested prophylactically to help with sleep disturbances that are associated with stroke and to effectively reduce post-stroke depression.

Having known someone who had a stroke at a fairly young age and seeing how he had to struggle with depression, I am especially glad to hear of finding new ways to help with this difficult problem using natural means.

Asthma inhalers: One small step against global warming

The FDA took a stand recently when it approved a new propellant for asthma inhalers. Up until the ruling, inhalers were made with propellants containing CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons)--now known to be harmful to the Earth's ozone layer. The new chemical, HFA (hydrofluoroalkane), is considered safe for human ingestion but is much safer for the earth's environment.

AstraZeneca is currently recruiting for a clinical trial of one type of the HFA inhaler for people with asthma ages 18 to 65. The tests will measure among other things the amount of exhaled nitric oxide (NO) after each dose--a non-invasive way to gauge the need for changes in asthma medication.

The FDA move appears to signal a greater acceptance among government agencies of humankind's role in global warming. And Walmart has just introduced an HFA inhaler for $9--a lot cheaper than previous prices. Let's hope this is the start of real change at every level to reverse the trend toward depleting our earthly resources through irresponsible and profligate use.

Nanotech teams with nitric oxide to help diabetics, organ transplants

A product that can help people with medical problems from controlling diabetes to growing hair to preserving transplant organs? Snake oil, anyone?

Nope. A blue bandage made with synthetic nanoparticles promises just such wonders. Its secret? When you wet the bandage, the way the fibers degrade releases nitric oxide--a natural chemical that works wonders for people but that diabetics don't make enough of. Their invention takes advantage of earlier efforts with nanofiber bandages that help wounds heal faster by releasing nitric oxide.

The researchers will focus, among other things, on making materials such as socks or wraps to improve blood flow in the feet of patients with diabetes.

Vegetable flavonoid promising for cancer treatment

I remember wondering a while back why I loved green beans so much when they didn't appear to have an especially high food value/nutrition. A few years ago I was excited to learn that green beans, in fact, contain something called flavonoids (a recently discovered nutrient) that were really good for you. Hurray, I thought. My body's wisdom does work after all.

Today I found this on the value of flavonoids as tools in sensitizing cancer cells--but not healthy ones--so that they will react more intensely to standard cancer treatments such as chemo and radiation.

Researchers are talking about trying to synthesize this element and use it in stronger doses to further boost cancer cell death. Now that's one of my favorite topics--taking advantage of nature's wisdom.

Healthcare reform or bust?

Interesting discussion here on how the financial and credit crisis in American is causing upheaval in the healthcare industry and is expected to continue to do so. Hospitals delaying construction; purchases of high technology gadgets canceled; doctors delaying retirement because of investment losses.

Good coverage on both sides of the issue--the negatives but also the positives that could come out of it. That our fascination with high-tech stuff hasn't made the quality of care higher, so maybe we can learn to do things better instead of throwing money at them. That we have a huge number of people without insurance and therefore with little or no access to healthcare, so maybe this is a good time to institute reform. That doctors delaying retirement could mean we won't suffer quite so soon such a shortage of general practitioners as is expected as the baby boomers age.

Also both presidential candidates claim they will not forget about their healthcare reform agendas--and one source claiming that the fact that the government just paid $600 billion to bail out Wall Street is a clear sign that health care will never receive top priority. It'll be interesting to see what happens after the election.