slimvictor
Bluelight Crew
While past research has proffered potential treatments for alcoholism, scientists have yet to develop a working vaccine to treat the maladaptive pattern of drinking.
However, that may all change if researchers at the University of Chile are successful. In February, a team of scientists is set to begin preclinical trials for the world's first alcoholism vaccine, the Santiago Times reports.
The vaccine delivers somewhat of an instant hangover if the patient takes one sip of alcohol. Researchers will first test the vaccine on mice; human trials are set for November.
"If it works, it's going to have a worldwide impact, but with many vaccines one has to test them carefully." Dr. Juan Asenjo, director of the university's Institute for Cell Dynamics and Biotechnology, told the Santiago Times. "I think the chances that this one will work are quite high."
In the body, alcohol is metabolized by first being broken down into the toxic acetaldehyde, which is then turned into acetate. However, when the second stage takes longer -- as is the case for some people -- acetaldehyde builds up in the body, resulting in symptoms typical of a hangover, such as rapid pulse, sweating and nausea.
When injected, the vaccine would work by sending a message to the liver to keep it from expressing these genes the metabolize alcohol, thus producing symptoms characteristic of a "medically induced hangover of epic proportions," FoodBeast writes.
Delivered in a single injection, the vaccine is expected to remain active in a patient's system for at least six months, and it cannot be reversed, according to the Santiago Times.
"With the vaccine, the desire to consume alcohol will be greatly reduced thanks to these reactions," Asenjo told Radio Cooperativa, according to the Agence France-Presse.
cont at
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/...l-trial_n_2569033.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular
However, that may all change if researchers at the University of Chile are successful. In February, a team of scientists is set to begin preclinical trials for the world's first alcoholism vaccine, the Santiago Times reports.
The vaccine delivers somewhat of an instant hangover if the patient takes one sip of alcohol. Researchers will first test the vaccine on mice; human trials are set for November.
"If it works, it's going to have a worldwide impact, but with many vaccines one has to test them carefully." Dr. Juan Asenjo, director of the university's Institute for Cell Dynamics and Biotechnology, told the Santiago Times. "I think the chances that this one will work are quite high."
In the body, alcohol is metabolized by first being broken down into the toxic acetaldehyde, which is then turned into acetate. However, when the second stage takes longer -- as is the case for some people -- acetaldehyde builds up in the body, resulting in symptoms typical of a hangover, such as rapid pulse, sweating and nausea.
When injected, the vaccine would work by sending a message to the liver to keep it from expressing these genes the metabolize alcohol, thus producing symptoms characteristic of a "medically induced hangover of epic proportions," FoodBeast writes.
Delivered in a single injection, the vaccine is expected to remain active in a patient's system for at least six months, and it cannot be reversed, according to the Santiago Times.
"With the vaccine, the desire to consume alcohol will be greatly reduced thanks to these reactions," Asenjo told Radio Cooperativa, according to the Agence France-Presse.
cont at
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/...l-trial_n_2569033.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular
